antlers

Antlers are bony, usually branching outgrowths on the heads of members of the deer family (Cervidae). In most species, antlers are grown by males, while in reindeer (caribou) and some related species females may also grow them, though often smaller. Antlers are made of bone and are shed and regrown annually.

Development begins at growth centers on the frontal skull called pedicles. During growth, the antlers are covered by a velvet, a highly vascular skin that supplies blood and nutrients. When growth ceases, the velvet is shed and the solid bone remains. The shape is typically branched, with tines extending from a main beam, and a base feature known as the burr at the connection to the skull.

The growth cycle is seasonal, with rapid growth in spring and summer. After the breeding season, antlers are shed and regrown over the following year. Growth rates can reach several centimeters per day at peak, enabling large specimens in mature males.

Functionally, antlers are primarily used in competition for mates: males display them and use them in fights with rivals. They are not mainly tools for predator defense. Size and condition reflect age, nutrition, and health.

Ecology and human interactions: antler size and condition are indicators studied by wildlife managers to assess populations and individual health. Shed antlers can be collected with minimal disturbance, and antlers have various cultural and decorative uses in human activities.