antlered animals
Posted by John Motto on September 22, 2007
Q: Do all animals with antlers shed them annually and grow new ones each year? I disagree with my girlfriend who says that thet are annual growths and are shed at the end of the year. Who is correct?? Thank you for your response.
Habitat: forest/open woods
State: South Carolina
Habitat: forest/open woods
A: I'm afraid your girlfriend is correct! Antlers are annual growths that are shed each year and then very soon there is renewed antler growth for the next season. Only males have antlers, with the exception of Caribou. Although antlered mammals lose their antlers after fall mating, the female Caribou keeps hers until after her calf is born in the spring. Hope this helps. Thanks for asking.
John Wiessinger ( September 23, 2007)