The Irish elk (Megaloceros giganteus), [1] [2] also called the giant deer or Irish deer, is an extinct species of deer in the genus Megaloceros and is one of the largest deer that ever lived.

Jul 19, 2020 · The Irish Elk is an extinct species within the Cervidae family - closely related to living deer species. Also known as the 'giant deer' and most closely related to the fallow deer, the Irish Elk is named mostly for its massive size.

Once more commonly known as the Irish elk, the giant deer (Megaloceros giganteus), with its huge antlers, would have been an impressive sight. Find out facts about this prehistoric deer, including how big it was, where it lived, what it ate and when it went extinct.

Mar 24, 2021 · We set out to explore the saga of the Irish elk, an animal that last lived more than 11,000 years ago and counting. The extinct Irish elk, or Megaloceros giganteus, is a bit of a misnomer, since this creature was actually the largest animal that ever existed in the deer family (sorry, moose fans).

Dec 4, 2022 · The Irish Elk, belonging to family Cervidae, is an extinct mammal. In contrary to its name, the Irish Elk was neither an Elk (belonging to the same group as North American Elk or the European Elk, which is popularly known as Moose in Northern America) nor it was exclusively found in or around Ireland.

Feb 20, 2025 · The mighty Irish Elk, with its grand antlers and towering stature, has long captured the imagination of both scientists and storytellers alike. As one of the largest deer to have ever walked the earth, this extinct creature has sparked numerous debates and …

Feb 21, 2025 · Irish elk, (Megaloceros giganteus), extinct species of deer, characterized by immense body size and wide antlers, commonly found as fossils in Pleistocene deposits in Europe and Asia (the Pleistocene Epoch began 2.6 …

Irish elk are extinct members of the Cervidae family that died off about 7,700 years ago. It was one of the largest deer species to ever walk the earth. Their primary defining characteristic was their enormous antlers, which dwarfed those of modern-day deer, elk, and moose.

Mar 16, 2024 · Megaloceros giganteus was an Ice Age wonder. Commonly called the ‘Irish elk,” these deer weighed upwards of 1,500 pounds. This specimen is currently housed at the National Museum of Ireland in...