1. The Velvet Stage:
* Spring: Antlers begin as soft, velvety tissue covered in a blood-rich skin called velvet.
* Growth: The velvet provides nutrients and blood flow for rapid growth, allowing antlers to grow several inches per day.
* Appearance: Antlers at this stage are a pale, pinkish-white color and are sensitive to touch.
2. Hardening and Ossification:
* Summer: As the antlers reach their full size, the blood supply to the velvet decreases, causing it to dry up and eventually shed.
* Bone Formation: The underlying bone hardens and ossifies, becoming the strong, bony structure we associate with antlers.
* Color Change: The antlers now take on their characteristic color, often brown or dark brown.
3. Rubbing and Polishing:
* Fall: Male deer rub their antlers on trees and other objects, removing any remaining velvet and polishing the bone. This rubbing behavior also helps to establish dominance hierarchies within the herd.
4. Shedding:
* Winter: After the breeding season, antler growth hormones decrease, and the antlers are eventually shed. The process of shedding is typically painless, and the base of the antler weakens, allowing it to fall off.
5. Regeneration:
* Spring: The cycle begins anew, with the growth of new antlers from the pedicles (bony projections on the skull).
Key Points:
* Only Males: Antlers are generally found only on male deer (bucks), though some species of female deer, such as reindeer, also grow antlers.
* Hormonal Control: Antler growth is controlled by testosterone, a hormone that is produced in higher levels during the breeding season.
* Evolutionary Purpose: Antlers are primarily used for attracting mates and establishing dominance in competition with other males. They can also be used for defense against predators.
Fun Fact:
The largest antler spread ever recorded was a 10 feet 10 inch wide set of antlers from an elk in the United States!