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Irish Elk

Part of Hall of Advanced Mammals.

Irish Elk

Weighing around 1,500 pounds and rivaling a large moose in size, the Irish elk is one of the largest known deer. Originally discovered in bog deposits in Ireland, the Irish elk, or Megaloceros giganteus, lived on the European mainland as well.

The Irish elk's enormous antlers, some of which reached a 13-foot spread, were used in ritualized combat betwe