![]() Recently, I've had cause to dig into the palaeobiology and research history of Megaloceros and, wow, what an animal. Its size and impressive antlers have become the principle takehome about its existence, such that other facts about its anatomy and ecology are ignored or forgotten. If you've drawn or sculpted Megaloceros at some point, chances are it was standing somewhat like this.Īn upshot of Megaloceros always being 'around' is that it's easy to overlook some of the cooler aspects of its palaeobiology. ![]() Although a relatively unremarkable restoration in most respects, it shows the same regal pose that has stereotyped portrayals of Megaloceros for nearly two centuries. Its presence may have been influenced by the Crystal Palace Megaloceros covered in the same magazine earlier that year. From a historic perspective, Megaloceros has demonstrated strong cultural staying power.Īmong the earliest life reconstructions of Megaloceros is this small illustration from an 1854 issue of the periodical Die Gartenlaube. Since then, Megaloceros has been an unwavering presence in paleontological media of all kinds: the focus of numerous scientific studies, a case study for animal evolution, and a frequent star of palaeoartworks and popular texts. The significance of the Irish Elk - which, of course, is not strictly Irish nor anything to do with any living 'elk' species - was perhaps first fully grasped by Baron Georges Cuvier, who published a series of studies on giant deer in the late 1700s and early 1800s. First discovered in 1695, it was a founding taxon of palaeontological science - a species that sent early scientists a clear message about the existence of life before the age of humanity and the reality of extinction. ![]() Megaloceros giganteus, otherwise known as the Irish elk or giant deer, can genuinely be regarded as a game-changing species for the study of extinct life. What else about this amazing animal is hidden behind those antlers? Famed for its size and headgear, we mostly ignore the fact that Megaloceros was among the most cursorial of all deer. Megaloceros giganteus galloping about: a rare scene in palaeoart, but probably a common sight in life. ![]()
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