Irish Elk (Megaloceros)

An extinct deer with antlers spanning 3.65 meters/Dinosaurs & Extinct Animals

Megaloceros giganteus, commonly called the Irish elk, was one of the largest deer species ever. It lived from about 400,000 to 8,000 years ago across Eurasia. Its antlers were the largest of any known cervid, spanning up to 3.65 meters tip to tip and weighing about 40 kg. The antlers were shed and regrown annually, requiring enormous mineral intake. Despite its common name, it was not exclusively Irish nor a true elk. The most complete skeletons come from Irish bogs.