Antler
Antler
Antler (/ˈæntlər/; from Latin: antler, meaning "horn") is a pair of bony, branched structures that protrude from the front of the skulls of animals belonging to the deer family. Antlers are shed and regrown each year and function primarily as objects of sexual attraction and as weapons in fights between males for control of harems.
Etymology
The word "antler" is derived from the Latin antler, meaning "horn". The first known use of the term was in the 14th century.
Structure
Antlers are made of bone and are typically larger in males. They begin to grow in spring, covered by a soft tissue known as "velvet," which supplies oxygen and nutrients to the growing bone. By late summer, the velvet is shed and the antlers are fully formed. The size and branching of antlers is determined by nutrition, age, and genetics.
Function
Antlers serve two main functions: they are used in battles between males during the mating season, and they serve as a display to attract females. The size and complexity of antlers are a direct indication of the male's health and genetic quality.
Related Terms
- Deer: A hoofed grazing or browsing animal, with branched bony antlers that are shed annually and typically borne only by the male.
- Velvet: A type of vascular skin that initially covers antlers and provides them with nutrients and oxygen.
- Mating Season: The time of year during which certain animals mate.
- Genetics: The study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Antler
- Wikipedia's article - Antler
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