Megaloceros

Megaloceros was a dire and prehistoric species of deer who managed to persist in some areas of the Realms.

Description
These creatures were roughly the same size as a moose, with their bodies standing up to  tall and being  in length. They had antlers that spread out to in length   and that weighed around.

The typical megaloceros had a fast gait.

Behavior
These creatures were typically non-aggressive, but could be dangerous to others in the early spring when mating season occurred. During that time males became extremely aggressive and territorial, while females around that same season became more defensive of their young.

When moving they often made very sudden shifts in the direction they were going, a manner of movement that some considered jarring.

Biology
A megaloceros could carry and haul heavy loads. A small load for them was roughly up to, medium loads were in a range of , and heavy loads were in a range of. And though they could not carry, these creatures were capable of dragging over.

Combat
The megaloceros would charge at the most obvious and brightly colored threat, defending itself by goring opponents with its huge antlers. These creatures would also scoop up opponents with their antlers, toss them around, and try to trample them.



Ecology
Though they could be found solitarily, a megaloceros was typically in a herd of six to twenty members.

Diet
The megaloceros was a herbivorous species.

Habitats
These creatures were typically found in temperate forests or cold climate marshes.

On Toril, they could be found in the moors and coniferous forests of the Moonshae Isles.

Relationships
Some races were known to use the megaloceros as a mount, such as by neanderthals, snow elves, and arctic druids. It took roughly four weeks at the least to train a megaloceros to be a mount. Midgard dwarves were known to use them as pack animals. And arctic druids sometimes had them as an animal companion.

Some neanderthals and snow goblins were known to revere the megaloceros as a totem animal, referring to it as the "Great Snow Elk."

In the wild they were often hunted by saber-toothed tigers.

Usage
Many creatures sought after their large antlered skulls as a decoration for their lairs, hunting lodges, or castles.