Great elk
The great elk is a large species of deer.
Contents
Biology
Great elks can reach heights of ten feet at the shoulder. Their antlers may span nearly the same width.[1] The adult males emit sounds similar to those of trumpets.[2]
Geography
The great elk inhabits northernmost forests in both Westeros and northwestern Essos. In Westeros they are found in the Haunted Forest in the lands beyond the Wall,[1][2] while in Essos they dwell in the Forest of Qohor.[3]
Recent events
A Game of Thrones
Daenerys Targaryen sees great elks during her journey through the Forest of Qohor.[3]
A Storm of Swords
Coldhands rides atop a great elk when he saves Samwell Tarly and Gilly from wights.[1] Both Sam and Gilly ride the elk during their journey to the Nightfort.[4]
Seconds before reuniting with Ghost, Jon Snow hungers for the flesh of a great elk, which makes him realize his direwolf is nearby.[5]
A Dance with Dragons
After failing to inhabit the body of Thistle, the spirit of Varamyr enters a portion of the Haunted forest and senses a great elk trumpeting. This unsettles the children clinging to his back.[2]
Astride his great elk, Coldhands leads the party of Bran Stark, Jojen Reed, Meera Reed and Hodor to the cave of the three-eyed crow.[6]
Behind the scenes
The great elk of the A Song of Ice and Fire novels appears to be based on the Megaloceros giganteus, also known as Irish elk, giant deer or Irish deer, a extinct genus of deer.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 46, Samwell III.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 A Dance with Dragons, Prologue.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 23, Daenerys III.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 56, Bran IV.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 79, Jon XII.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 4, Bran I.
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