The Biological Processes behind Antler Shedding and Regrowth in Deer
In the captivating lives of deer, antlers play a pivotal role, serving as both physical and behavioural signals of dominance, especially during the breeding season. Known as the rut, this period is marked by intense competition among male deer (bucks) for mating rights.
The growth cycle of antlers is an annual process that begins in spring and summer. New antlers grow, covered in a nutrient-rich skin called velvet. As daylight decreases towards fall, a physiological change is triggered, causing the antlers to mineralize and the velvet to be shed, marking the start of the rut. After the rut, typically in late winter, bucks shed their antlers, readying themselves for a new cycle in the following spring.
Antlers, composed of bone and cartilage, can weigh up to 8kg. These impressive structures serve multiple purposes, including fighting for females, attracting females, and establishing dominance. The size and condition of antlers are closely linked to a buck's social rank and reproductive prospects.
During fights for dominance, deer lock their antlers together and wrestle, with these encounters ranging from one hit to almost 10 minutes. It's important to note that a small deer cannot carry heavy antlers without risking injury, making size and strength crucial factors in these contests.
Interestingly, antler growth and the timing of the rut are driven by changes in daylight length, which trigger hormonal changes controlling antler growth and rut timing, particularly pronounced in northern populations.
The shedding of deer antlers does not cause pain, as the cells have died before they fall off. After the rut, a drop in testosterone levels triggers the shedding of antlers, giving males a chance to recover from any damage sustained during fights for dominance.
Deer antlers are covered in velvet during growth, which contains hormones such as estrogen and estradiol. This velvet nourishes the growing antlers, providing essential nutrients for their development.
There are approximately 90 different deer species, including the whitetail, elk, moose, and caribou. Deer antlers typically shed between January and March every year, only to regrow by August/September.
Unfortunately, during these fights, deer antlers can become stuck together, trapping them and potentially leading to their death. However, this cycle and the behavioural use of antlers are fundamental to the lives of deer, particularly during the mating season and fights for dominance.
[1] Antler Behavior and Function in Deer, National Wildlife Federation, https://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Library/Facts-Figures-and-Reports/Antler-Behavior-and-Function-in-Deer
[2] Deer Antlers: Growth and Function, University of Georgia, https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C861&title=Deer%20Antlers:%20Growth%20and%20Function
[3] Deer Antlers and the Rut, Cornell University, https://www.dnr.cornell.edu/deer/antlers-and-rut
[4] The Biology of Deer Antlers, National Park Service, https://www.nps.gov/subjects/wildlife/deer-antlers.htm
- The growth and function of antlers in deer are intriguing topics within both science and health-and-wellness, providing insights into their behavioral signals and dominance.
- In environmental-science, the shedding and regrowth of deer antlers provide a unique study on the impact of changing daylight lengths on animal behavior and physiology.
- Research in genetic studies on deer antlers could lead to advancements in understanding mental health and aging, as the hormonal changes during antler growth are closely related to testosterone levels.
- Space-and-astronomy, though seemingly unrelated, could potentially draw connections with the growth patterns of deer antlers, as both systems exhibit cycles influenced by the change in daylight periods.
