Female deer antlers

[Jonathan]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

I always find it interesting that deer go to all that trouble to grown antlers and shed them every year whereas, goats, sheep, bovines and antelope etc keep theirs.

On the subject of antlers, interestingly a few red deer stags don't grow antlers, these individuals are known as hummels. One might think this could prevent them from holding a harem during the rut, but this isn't the case - from the Deer Alliance website:

Hummel is the name given to a stag (usually a red stag) which does not develop antlers. As a result, he usually acquires a much heavier body weight than other stags, as the nutrients which would otherwise go into the developing antler are absorbed by the body more generally. Hummels are fertile and can mate and will often oust a lighter, antlered stag during the rut.

I've only ever seen one hummel, which was, indeed, a large stag. Apparently the lack of antlers is caused by malnutrition in the stag's youth when it's pedicles are developing.

Makes you wonder whether it's worth going to the trouble of growing antlers!

Cheers
Jonathan

[C J Smallman]

Originally Posted by wildherbalian85

Check out these antlers

YouTube - Hunter gets his ass kicked by deer

Strange that the deer doesnt use its antlers at all its giving the nasty hunter a good kicking

Chris.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Jonathan

On the subject of antlers, interestingly a few red deer stags don't grow antlers, these individuals are known as hummels. One might think this could prevent them from holding a harem during the rut, but this isn't the case - from the Deer Alliance website:

Hummel is the name given to a stag (usually a red stag) which does not develop antlers. As a result, he usually acquires a much heavier body weight than other stags, as the nutrients which would otherwise go into the developing antler are absorbed by the body more generally. Hummels are fertile and can mate and will often oust a lighter, antlered stag during the rut.

I've only ever seen one hummel, which was, indeed, a large stag. Apparently the lack of antlers is caused by malnutrition in the stag's youth when it's pedicles are developing.

Makes you wonder whether it's worth going to the trouble of growing antlers!

Cheers
Jonathan

That's very interesting and informative thank you for posting Jonathan..