Both stand near 6.9 ft at the shoulder and weigh about 1,200 to 1,500 lb. The Irish elk had much bigger antlers, up to 12 ft wide.
Body size is almost equal. The Alaskan moose (Alces alces gigas) and the Irish elk (Megaloceros giganteus) are both among the largest deer ever. The Alaskan moose and the Irish elk were about the same height and weight. Only the moose is alive today. The Irish elk wins on antler size. The moose wins on record weight.
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Moose vs Irish Elk Size Comparison Chart
| Feature | Alaskan Moose (Bull) | Irish Elk (Stag) |
|---|---|---|
| Shoulder height | About 6.9 ft (2.1 m) | About 6.9 ft (2.1 m) |
| Record height | 7.6 ft (2.33 m) | Not recorded |
| Average weight | About 1,400 lb (634 kg) or more | 1,190 to 1,320 lb (540 to 600 kg) |
| Heaviest weight | 1,808 lb (820 kg) | 1,540 lb (700 kg) or more |
| Antler span | About 5.9 ft (1.8 m) | Up to 12 ft (3.65 m) |
| Status | Alive | Extinct, last remains about 7,700 years old |
| Range | Alaska and western Yukon | Ireland to east of Lake Baikal |
Moose vs Irish Elk Height and Length
Shoulder Height Comparison
Both animals stood about 6.9 ft tall at the shoulder. That is taller than most adult men. The tallest Alaskan moose on record reached 7.6 ft. It was shot in the Yukon in 1897.
Body Length Comparison
A big moose bull measures roughly 8 to 10 ft from nose to rump. There is no firm body length figure for the Irish elk. Fossil skeletons show a frame close to a large moose.
Male vs Female Size
Females were smaller in both species. An Alaskan moose cow stands about 5.9 ft at the shoulder. She can weigh close to 1,054 lb. Irish elk were also smaller, at about 80% of male mass.
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Moose vs Irish Elk Weight Comparison
Average Weight of Moose vs Irish Elk
Alaskan moose bulls weigh about 1,400 lb or more. Irish elk stags weighed about 1,190 to 1,320 lb. The gap is small, so the two are close in body mass.
Heaviest Moose vs Heaviest Irish Elk
The heaviest known Alaskan moose weighed 1,808 lb. Large Irish elk are estimated at 1,540 lb or more. The moose holds the record because it was actually weighed.
Why Irish Elk Weight Is an Estimate
Nobody weighed a live Irish elk. Scientists estimate body weight from fossil bones. Sources give different ranges, from 855 lb to 1,540 lb.
Bones point to a strong build. Studies show a sturdy skeleton and strong neck muscle attachments. The body was likely leaner than a moose, which made it look bigger.
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Moose vs Irish Elk Antler Size Comparison
Antler Span and Weight
The Irish elk had the largest antlers of any deer. They spanned up to 12 ft and weighed up to 88 lb. Moose antlers span about 5.9 ft on average. Large bulls carry roughly 40 to 60 lb of bone.
Antler Shape and Use
Irish elk antlers had one broad, flat sheet with points along the edge. They looked like an oak leaf. Moose antlers are palmate, with a wide blade and shorter tines. Many researchers say this shape suits fighting better.
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Moose vs Other Animals Size Comparison
Moose vs Elk (Wapiti)
A bull elk weighs about 700 lb and can reach 1,000 lb. It stands about 4.5 to 5 ft at the shoulder. A moose bull is roughly twice as heavy.
Moose vs Caribou
A caribou bull weighs about 350 to 600 lb. Shoulder height is about 3.5 to 4.5 ft. A moose is two to three times heavier.
Moose vs White-Tailed Deer
A white-tailed buck weighs about 150 to 300 lb. It stands about 3 to 3.5 ft tall. A moose can outweigh it five times over.
Moose vs Bison
An American bison bull weighs up to about 2,000 lb and stands about 6 ft tall. A bison is heavier than a moose. A moose is taller at the shoulder.
Moose vs Grizzly Bear
A grizzly male weighs about 400 to 800 lb. A moose bull is often larger than that. The bear stands lower, near 3.5 to 4 ft on all fours.
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FAQ’s About Moose vs Irish Elk Size
How Big Was the Irish Elk Compared to a Moose?
The Irish elk matched the Alaskan moose in height and weight. Both stand near 6.9 ft at the shoulder and weigh over 1,200 lb.
Was the Irish Elk Bigger Than an Alaskan Moose?
Not in body size. The Irish elk had far larger antlers, up to 12 ft wide, but the moose has the heaviest recorded weight.
How Tall Was the Irish Elk at the Shoulder?
The Irish elk stood about 6.9 ft (2.1 m) tall at the shoulder. That is the same as a large Alaskan moose bull.
How Much Did an Irish Elk Weigh?
An average Irish elk stag weighed about 1,190 to 1,320 lb. Large ones may have topped 1,540 lb.
Is the Moose the Largest Deer Alive Today?
Yes. The moose is the largest living deer, and the Alaskan subspecies is the biggest. The Irish elk is extinct.
Hi, I’m Natalie Collins, the admin at MooseSizes.com. We simplify animal sizes, measurements, and wildlife comparisons with easy-to-follow guides, useful size charts, and accurate information to help you understand animal dimensions with confidence.
