White-tail Buck: Summer

White-tail Buck: Summer

In early winter the bucks lose their antlers. By April the antlers have started to grow again. They grow under a layer of skin, called velvet. Blood carries calcium to the area and deposits it there. They are literally growing bone. However, unlike the bones in the animal’s body the bony antler contains no marrow. They are
made up of solid bone.

But in the spring and summer the antlers are very tender while they are growing. The bucks go off by themselves, usually far from the females and does. The males must seek out the best food possible to grow large antlers. The antlers start to harden in August and the blood flow stops. By early September the bucks have rubbed off the velvet and the new antlers are ready for battle.

Images & video copyright J.D. Taylor “Senses of Wildness” Inc. 2016
For more images visit: pbase.com/ j.d.taylor

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