Which deer species shed their antlers?

All male deer species shed their antlers. This includes:

* White-tailed deer

* Mule deer

* Elk

* Moose

* Red deer

* Reindeer

* Fallow deer

* Sika deer

* Axis deer

* and many others.

Antlers are a secondary sexual characteristic that are shed and regrown annually. They are used for display, competition for mates, and fighting.

It is important to note:

* Some female deer species, like reindeer, also grow antlers, although they are usually smaller than those of males.

* The antlers are shed and regrown on a yearly cycle, typically in the late fall or early winter.

* The new antlers grow rapidly and are covered in a soft, velvety layer called "velvet."

* The velvet is shed as the antlers harden.

If you're ever unsure about whether a particular deer species sheds its antlers, it's safe to assume that all males do.