An extinct species of deer that lived during the Ice Age and was one of the largest deer that ever lived. Its body was only slightly bigger than that of the largest deer today, the moose. But its antlers were far bigger. They measured more than 11.5 feet (3.5 meters) across and were very heavy (they weighed more than a person).

As wth most deer, only the males grew antlers. They probably used their antlers to fight each other at breeding time, to take control of the herd of females.

It was also known as the Giant Deer.
Some Ice Age animals roamed the snowy grasslands, while others wandered in the woods and forests. The Irish Elk probably did both.
by Nordicdragon June 27, 2018
Get the Irish Elk mug.