Why Deer Regrow Their Antlers Every Year
By: NDTVNewsDesk
Image: Pexels
Deer regrow their antlers every year because this annual cycle is a survival strategy.
Image: Pexels
This is driven by seasonal changes in daylight, to equip them for the mating season and conserve energy for winter.
Image: Pexels
As days get shorter in the fall, the deer's body responds by decreasing testosterone.
Image: Pexels
This causes the tissue connecting the antlers to the skull to demineralise, and the antlers are shed.
Image: Pexels
With increasing daylight in the spring, rising testosterone levels stimulate the growth of new antlers.
Image: Pexels
The process is rapid and energy-intensive, requiring significant amounts of protein and minerals.
Image: Pexels
The growing antlers are covered in a protective membrane called "velvet" and have a rich blood supply.
Image: Pexels
By late summer, growth slows down, and the antlers harden as they mineralise.
Image: Pexels
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