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- What are antlers and why do deer have them? | Wildlife Online
Antler bone, by contrast, must sustain lots of small fractures that must join together before a large enough crack forms, a process known as damage coalescence As Sedman put it: “… it is antler's ability to accumulate damage far more rapidly than bone can, that is the underlying cause of its greater impact strength ” Useful by-products
- Deer (Overview) - Antler Development Summary - Wildlife Online
The antler itself is composed of various types of structural cells and there is an apparent negative correlation between calcium content and fat concentration along the antler – calcium levels increase towards the base of the antler, whilst lipid concentrations are highest at the tip - which helps explain why certain parts may be targeted
- Red Deer Antlers - Wildlife Online
Antler development typically begins at around 10 months of age and by his second year a stag will, provided the conditions are good, have his first "head" - these are short, simple, unbranched antlers and at this point he is referred to as a brocket Over subsequent years the antlers should become progressively larger and branched
- Red Deer Ageing Longevity - Wildlife Online
Ageing Red deer from their physical appearance is not an easy task There are many features that experienced stalkers may use to assess age -- for example body size, head length, time of moult, antler casting, and various aspects of antler morphology -- but, as Rory Putman pointed out in his 2005 report for the Deer Commission for Scotland:
- Red deer - Wildlife Online
Older males typically cast earlier (and complete regrowth) earlier than younger animals Antler growth is very rapid and occurs during late spring and summer During growth, the blood supply is supplemented by a furry skin called velvet that covers the antler The velvet is shed during late July and early August in preparation for the rut
- Roe deer - Wildlife Online
Antler Cycle: Antlers cast October-December (peak in November) and re-grown during winter; velvet shed mid-February March Activity: Feed throughout day and night, but peak of activity is crepuscular Spend long periods lying up to ruminate
- Red Deer Breeding Biology - Wildlife Online
Consequently, although antler clashes are a familiar image of the rut -- largely because such encounters are impressive and make captivating video and photographic footage -- the decision to fight is not one that is taken lightly and there is a highly-ritualised series of behavioural interactions that happen before stags clash
- Japanese Sika deer - Wildlife Online
White rumps with black stripe down tail and brown border; white metatarsal glands on hock Antlers similar to Red deer, although smoother texture and max 4 tines per antler - single front-pointing tine on each antler Sexing: As with most species, the males sport antlers for much of the year and tend to be larger and more muscular than females
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