Why Deer Have Antlers

Deer are beautiful animals and one of the features we remember them by the most are their magnificent antlers. They are often the focal point of a male deer (buck), and are a symbol of their strength and might. But, you may be asking yourself why deer have antlers. Well, there are reasons we know of, and probably more that we don't. But, I will explain some of the main reasons why deer have antlers.

As you probably already know, antlers only grow on the male deer, also known as a buck. Bucks use their antlers for a number of different things. One of the main uses for them is to fight other bucks. They will generally challenge other bucks by grunting and kicking the ground. If neither buck backs down, they will charge each other with their antlers first. Their fights can last for as little as seconds, or until one of them tires. Sometimes their antlers can even get stuck together during these fights.

These fights between bucks generally occur when it is breeding season, also known as the rut. Their hormone levels are high and oftentimes they will fight each other over a female deer nearby. On rare occasions, some bucks have even been known to charge at people and cars during the breeding season.

A bucks antlers are also a way of showing other deer they are dominate. If a buck with a large set of antlers is facing one with a small set, then the chances are the small buck will back down. The smaller buck will see that he is facing a larger threat and will most likely back down. However, this isn't always the case.

Another use for antlers is to mark their territory. A buck will do this by rubbing their antlers against the bark of a tree. This not only marks their territory and tells other bucks not to come around, but it is also a way for them to sharpen their antlers.

Generally speaking, only male deer have antlers. However, the one exception to this is the reindeer. Reindeer are the only deer breed that both male and females have antlers. This is because they both need them to scavenge for food in the north to survive. When the entire landscape is covered in snow, these reindeer will use their antlers to uncover the ground and find their food.

Another exception to the "only male deer have antlers" is a hormone imbalance that causes one out of every six thousand or so female deer to grow antlers. In the news recently there was a 27-point doe shot and killed by a hunter in Kansas. This just goes to show, while antlered does are rare, they do occur.

Deer are beautiful animals and often stand out with their amazing antlers. These antlers aren't just for show however. They are a vital part of a male deer and used as a measure of strength against other bucks fighting for the courtship of the doe.