Megaloceros giganteus

Megaloceros giganteus ranged across Eurasia from Ireland to China during the Pleistocene.

Size of the extinct Irish Elk (Megaloceros giganteus) relative to a hunter-gatherer. The largest deer ever discovered, it stood up to 7 ft at the shoulder and weighed up to 1600 lbs. (by Philip Newsom)

The extinct Irish elk (Megaloceros giganteus) ranged across Eurasia from Ireland to China during the Pleistocene. Scientists estimate these giant deer stood about 7 ft. tall at the shoulder and weighed about 1,600 lbs. They carried the largest antlers of any known deer species—a rack could spread up to 12 ft. and weigh up to 90 lbs. Remains recently unearthed in Siberia carbon date to about 8000 years ago.

Long before St. Patrick chased the snakes out of Ireland, the Megaloceros giganteus strutted across the Emerald Isle during the Ice Age sporting antlers that weighed as much as 100 […]

male Megaloceros giganteus fighting. I've used the Alaskan Moose diorama of the American Museum of Natural History as reference for the dramatic pose.

Antlers of an extinct Irish Elk (Megaloceros giganteus) sold by Christies. These giant deer stood about 7 ft. tall at the shoulder, weighed about 1,600 lbs., and a rack of antlers could spread up to 12 ft.

Illustration,Painting

Megaloceros giganteus with fur pattern based on cave paintings found at Cougnac and Chauvet (France)

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