File:Caribou.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons
antlers
Also known as antler
thumb|upright|right|Mature red deer stag, Denmark thumb|upright|Red deer at the beginning of the growing season
Research
1,748 papers- A population of stem cells with strong regenerative potential discovered in deer antlers.Science (New York, N.Y.) · 2023
- Deer antlers: the fastest growing tissue with least cancer occurrence.Cell death and differentiation · 2023
- Antlers - Evolution, development, structure, composition, and biomechanics of an outstanding type of bone.Bone · 2019
- Bioactive Molecular Discovery Using Deer Antlers as a Model of Mammalian Regeneration.Journal of proteome research · 2021
- Antlers on does: An unexpected role of macrophages in deer biology.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · 2025
via PubMed
~20 min read
Article
23 sectionsContents
- Etymology
- Structure and development
- Mechanical properties
- Function
- Sexual selection
- Heritability and reproductive advantage
- Protection against predation
- Female antlers in reindeer
- Antenna for hearing
- Diversification
- Capreolinae
- Cervinae
- Homology and evolution of tines
- Exploitation by other species
- Ecological role
- Trophy hunting
- Shed antler hunting
- Carving for decorative and tool uses
- Ceremonial roles
- Dietary usage
- Shed hunting with dogs
- References
- External links
thumb|upright|right|Mature red deer stag, Denmark thumb|upright|Red deer at the beginning of the growing season
Antlers are extensions of an animal's skull found in members of the Cervidae (deer) family. Antlers are a single structure composed of bone, cartilage, fibrous tissue, skin, nerves, and blood vessels. They are generally found only on males, with the exception of reindeer/caribou. Antlers are shed and regrown each year and function primarily as objects of sexual attraction and as weapons.