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deer antlers are so fascinating to me like THEY'RE BONES. THAT EXTEND OUT OF THE HEAD. AND THEN POP OFF AND REGROW EVERY YEAR. if another part of their body is injured, it can affect antler growth.
plus when they shed the velvet skin off it looks a little scary
plus when they shed the velvet skin off it looks a little scary
all this just to show off to potential mates and to show up other males. they don't even need them
also to grow their antlers so fast (1/4-1 full inch a day), deer and other cervids (like moose or elk) borrow minerals like calcium from non-weight-bearing bones such as the ribcage
also to grow their antlers so fast (1/4-1 full inch a day), deer and other cervids (like moose or elk) borrow minerals like calcium from non-weight-bearing bones such as the ribcage
for those interested, here's how it works.
every spring, new antlers grow as cartilage where they then begin to calcify. to protect the growth process, these antlers are covered in sensitive, velvety skin like this. these grow throughout the summer
every spring, new antlers grow as cartilage where they then begin to calcify. to protect the growth process, these antlers are covered in sensitive, velvety skin like this. these grow throughout the summer
by the end of summer, around september, growth stops, and blood supply to the velvet is cut off. it dries out and the deer or whatever antlered animal rubs it off, exposing the hard bone antler underneath. like this
by the time of mating season, or rut, these antlers are now dead bone and no longer sensitive spots. they can use them for fighting, marking trees, impressing mates, etc. all the stuff they're intended for. these seasons differ between species btw, i'm just talking averages
then in winter (for most species) testosterone levels drop and the pedicle, or base where the antler is attached, weakens its connection. the antler is a dead bone and so it just sort of breaks off, leaving an exposed open wound that scabs over and then it begins again.
now for fun facts
1. antlers are not the same as horns. antlers are bone and horns are made of keratin (like hair or fingernails) and don't shed (except in the pronghorn)
1. antlers are not the same as horns. antlers are bone and horns are made of keratin (like hair or fingernails) and don't shed (except in the pronghorn)
2. in almost all antlered species, usually only males grow antlers (with rare exceptions when females have high testosterone), but in reindeer, both male and females have antlers. interestingly, they shed them at different times (males before winter, females after)
3. people are studying rapid bone growth in deer to better learn how we might one day duplicate it in the medical field. it's because of their rapid growth, deer antlers have been used in medicine for a LONG damn time. whether their consumption does anything or not though? eh
4. it is believed that the reason they shed them in winter is to conserve nutrients but this is sort of funny because some deer grow their antlers during winter (like the roe) or keep them during winter like female reindeer
