Sarvet

Sarvet is Finnish for antlers or horns. In common usage, the term refers to the branched bony structures grown by members of the deer family (Cervidae) on the top of their heads, most notably in species such as white-tailed deer, red deer, roe deer and moose. In most species, antlers are grown by males and are shed and regrown on a yearly cycle, though exceptions occur (for example, in caribou, both sexes may grow antlers).

Growth and structure: Antlers are among the fastest-growing tissues in mammals. They begin as mineralized cords from the skull and are initially covered by a vascular skin called velvet, which supplies blood and nerves. As growth completes, the velvet is shed and the mature antlers become hard bone. Growth is influenced by hormones and daylight length and typically reaches full size by late summer; in many species the antlers are shed after the breeding season and regrow the next year.

Function and variation: Antlers serve primarily in mating displays and combat between males, acting as a visual signal of age and condition. They are heavy and costly to produce, so larger antlers generally indicate higher fitness but require significant nutrition. Antler size and shape vary by species, age and environment; climate and forage quality can affect growth.

Ecology and culture: In wildlife management, counts of shed antlers and antler size are used to assess deer populations and health. In Finnish culture and language, sarvet appears in folklore, art and craft, and the word is widely used in everyday speech to denote deer antlers. Antlers are also subject to legal and conservation considerations where hunting is regulated.