How Deer Shed Their Antlers?

Deer are known for their beautiful antlers, which grow and fall off each year. This amazing process is called “antler shedding.” Each year, deer grow new antlers, which they later lose to make room for a bigger, stronger set. But why do they do this? Let’s take a closer look!

Deer shed their antlers mainly because of changes in their hormones. A male deer’s testosterone levels drop after the breeding season ends in late fall or early winter. This drop signals that it’s time for the antlers to fall off. Shedding helps deer save energy for the winter months when food is scarce. Also, deer can move around more easily in the snow without heavy antlers.

Every spring, the antlers grow back, bigger and better. Each new set of antlers shows how strong and healthy a deer is. This helps male deer (bucks) attract females and compete with other males.

How Do Deer Shed Their Antlers?

The process starts when a deer’s body releases special cells called osteoclasts. These cells weaken the connection between the antler and the deer’s skull. As the connection weakens, the antler becomes loose and eventually falls off. This can happen suddenly. Sometimes, both antlers drop off within a few hours.

After the antlers fall, the spot where they were attached (called the pedicle) begins to heal. Antlers growth starts in spring. New ones are soft with a fuzzy skin commonly called velvet. This velvet helps the antlers grow by supplying nutrients and oxygen. By late summer, the velvet peels off, and the bone hardens, giving the deer its new set of antlers for the year.

When Do Deer Shed Their Antlers?

The exact time when deer shed their antlers varies by species and location. Here’s a general timeline:

• Whitetail Deer: Late December to early March.
• Mule Deer: January to April.
• Elk: February to early April.
• Moose: November to January.

Younger deer and those that aren’t as healthy may shed their antlers earlier. Older, stronger deer often keep theirs a bit longer. The amount of food and the harshness of winter can also affect when antlers drop.

What Happens After the Antlers Fall?

Once an antler falls, it becomes part of the forest floor. Many small animals, like mice and squirrels, chew on shed antlers to get nutrients like calcium. This helps these animals stay healthy during winter. Over time, what’s left of the antler breaks down and returns to the soil.

People also look for shed antlers in a hobby called “shed hunting.” Finding a shed antler is like finding a natural treasure! However, it’s important not to disturb deer during this time, as they need to conserve energy to survive the winter.

How Do New Antlers Grow?

In spring, new antlers start growing from the pedicles and complete in an average of 4 months. You can study Stanford’s research on antlers growth. The velvet covering provides everything the antlers need to grow: blood, nutrients, and oxygen. Hunters use deer protein feed for antler growth on their land to get maximum size bucks shed during hunting season.

The velvet starts falling off as summer ends, revealing hard, bone-like antlers. Bucks often rub their antlers against trees to remove the remaining velvet. This “antler rubbing” also helps them strengthen their neck muscles.

Why Do Deer Need Antlers?

Antlers aren’t just for looks. They assert dominance and help find mating partners for big bucks. They are also a tool to fight among males and defend dominance in rut. These antler battles decide who’s the strongest and who gets the attention of nearby females. The bigger the antlers, the better chance a buck has to win.

Fun Facts About Antlers

Antlers and Age: Younger bucks usually have smaller, simpler antlers. As they grow older, their antlers become bigger and more branched.

Quick Growth: A deer can grow up to an inch of antler daily during peak growth!

Difference Between Horns and Antlers: Horns (like those on goats) stay with the animal for life. Antlers, on the other hand, fall off and regrow every year.

Deer Species: Not all deer species have antlers. For example, only male deer (bucks) in most species grow antlers, but in reindeer (also known as caribou), both males and females grow them.

Conclusion

The antler cycle shows how animals adapt to their environment. Shedding and regrowing antlers help deer save energy, heal quickly, and show off their strength. This process also benefits the ecosystem, as other animals use shed antlers as food and shelter.

So, the next time you see a deer with a big set of antlers, remember that those antlers are temporary. Soon, they’ll fall off, and a new set will grow. Bigger and more impressive than ever!