Antlers vs. Horns
Posted by GW on February 12, 2004
Q: What are the differences between antelope and deer; and are the two related?
A: If we look at your question from a scientific or taxonomic perspective, we can quickly point out their relationship. Antelope and deer are part of the following grouping:
Kingdom Animal - Phylum Chordata - Class Mammal - Order Artiodactyla - Family Cervidae (deer) and Bovidae (Asian and African antelope)
As you can see, once you get to family, the deer and antelope separate from each other. The deer family (Cervidae) has antlers only in the males (except for the caribou) that are shed yearly while antelope have horns with most females also growing these permanent structures.
Granted, deer and antelope look very closely related but their adaptations to similar lifestyles (convergent evolution) has made them seem more closely related than they are.
John Wiessinger ( February 12, 2004)