Nebraskaland

76 Nebraskaland • January-February 2024 MIXED BAG How many times have you heard someone say, "Wow, look at the horns on that deer"? Horns and antlers are not interchangeable. While they share some similarities, horns and antlers are distinct forms of animal headgear. Antlers Males in the Cervidae family, including mule deer, white- tailed deer, moose and elk, are the only class of mammals to grow antlers. Exceptions: Both males and females of caribou and reindeer possess antlers, and, oddly, males drop their antlers before females. For instance, caribou males in Alaska drop their antlers in October, whereas pregnant females may retain their antlers well into May or June the following year. Scientists believe this is to help females fight and defend their food sources through the winter. Antlers can grow exceptionally large, and their morphology will vary among species. How Do Antlers Grow? Antlers begin growing from two small bony structures on top of an animal's head called pedicles. For deer or elk in Nebraska, changes in testicular and pituitary hormones during the spring signals the growth of antlers. In the early stages of development, antlers have high water and protein content. They are made of bone and are coated in velvet — a thin, fuzzy layer of skin tissue that carries blood and nutrients to the antlers during development. When the antlers reach their full size, the velvet will dry and stop growing. The animal will then shed this layer by scraping its antlers on trees and thick brush. This scraping action will also stain, shine and sharpen the rack. The result will, hopefully, be impressive enough to compete for and attract a mate. As the antlers stop growing, the outer, spongy bone is replaced by compact bone while the centers become filled with coarse, spongy lamellar bone and marrow spaces. In winter when growth hormones decrease, the pedicle loses calcium, which will weaken the connection between the pedicle and the antler. At this point, the antler(s) will fall off. For a short time, males will be without antlers until the growing process begins again in the spring. Purpose of Antlers Among cervids, the phrase "bigger is better" couldn't be truer. Hunters know that males use their antlers during the breeding season to compete for females and to fight other males for hierarchy and leadership; females see males with larger antlers to be fitter because of their position as alpha males. Additionally, antlers also are indicators of good metabolic efficiency and food gathering, which are desirable traits in a reproductive partner. Antlers aren't just used for acquiring a mate — they also are used for protection against predators. Animals such as coyotes, bobcats and mountain lions could be potential predators for cervids. ANTLERS VS. HORNS By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist An animal's larger antlers are a good indicator of metabolic efficiency and usually means the animal is fitter. These are desirable traits for a female looking for a reproductive partner. JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND Just like deer, elk will develop velvet on their antlers during the growing process. This velvet helps bring nutrients and blood to the developing ornaments. It will later be rubbed off when the antlers stop growing. JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND

• Cover