If you’ve ever observed deer or seen images of mature bucks, you may have noticed that older deer tend to have larger and more complex antlers. You might have also heard that deer shed their antlers every year. How can both be true?
The annual antler cycle
At the end of mating season, usually in late winter, male deer, or bucks, shed their antlers thanks to an abscission layer that forms between the antlers and the skull that weakens the bond between the two.
Their new antlers will start to grow in spring and will have a soft, fuzzy covering called “velvet,” that supplies nutrients and oxygen to the growing bone that forms the antlers. By late summer, the velvet will dry up, and the deer will shed it, revealing his hardened antlers.
Why do older deer have larger antlers?
The size and complexity of antlers are not cumulative. Instead, several factors influence how big they can get how big they can get. For instance, older deer have more testosterone, which stimulates antler growth. Their bodies are also better developed, allowing them to allocate more resources to antler production.
A buck typically reaches its peak antler size between 4-7 years old, depending on the species and environmental conditions.
Nutrition and health
The size and quality of antlers depend heavily on a deer’s diet. They require significant amounts of calcium, phosphorus, and other nutrients, and bucks in environments with more of those nutrients will naturally have larger antlers. Conversely, poor nutrition can result in smaller or malformed antlers, regardless of the deer’s age.
Genetics
Genetics also play a role in antler growth. Bucks with strong genetic traits for large antlers are more likely to produce impressive racks, assuming they receive proper nutrition and reach maturity.
The decline in old age
While antlers typically increase in size and complexity as a buck ages, this trend doesn’t last forever. After reaching peak antler growth, a buck’s antlers may begin to decline in size and quality as it enters old age due to a reduction in testosterone and access to fewer nutrients because of declining health.
FAQ
How can you tell a deer’s age from its antlers?
While antlers can give clues about a deer’s age, they are not a definitive indicator. A buck’s antlers typically grow larger and more complex as it matures, but other factors like nutrition and genetics also play a role. For an accurate age assessment, wildlife biologists examine the deer’s teeth.
Do female deer ever grow antlers?
In most deer species, females do not grow antlers. However, in some cases, like with caribou, both males and females grow antlers. A hormonal imbalance might also cause female deer to develop small antlers in rare instances.
What are antlers used for?
A buck will primarily use his antlers for mating rituals but will also use them to fend off any predators that might corner them.
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