Elk, majestic members of the deer family, are known for their impressive antlers. These bony structures are unique because, unlike horns, they are shed and regrown annually. This cyclical process is a natural part of an elk’s life, driven by biological rhythms and environmental cues.
The Annual Cycle of Antler Shedding
Elk typically shed their antlers from late winter to early spring, mostly around March and April. Timing varies based on the elk’s age, health, and location. Older bulls often shed earlier than younger ones.
Shedding begins after the breeding season, or rut, when a bull elk’s testosterone levels decrease. This drop triggers bone reabsorption at the pedicle, the attachment point on the skull. The weakening connection leads to the antler detaching and falling off.
This detachment can happen quickly, sometimes within a single day. The process is not painful for the elk. Shedding allows the elk to conserve energy after the physically demanding rut and prepare for new growth.
Antler Regrowth and Their Purpose
Following shedding, new antlers begin to grow almost immediately from the pedicles. This regrowth is remarkably fast, capable of growing up to an inch per day. Developing antlers are covered in “velvet,” a soft, fuzzy skin layer.
Velvet is rich in blood vessels and nerves, supplying the growing bone with nutrients for rapid formation. As antlers mature and harden, typically by late summer, the velvet dries. Elk then rub their antlers against trees and vegetation to remove the dry velvet, revealing the hardened, bony antlers underneath.
Once hardened, mature antlers serve several purposes, primarily during the rut. Male elk use their antlers in dominance displays, sparring, and fighting to establish hierarchy and gain access to mates. Females often favor males with larger, more symmetrical antlers, as these can indicate health and genetic fitness.
The Fate of Shed Antlers
Once shed, elk antlers become a valuable ecosystem component. They are a rich source of minerals, particularly calcium (about 20%) and phosphorus (about 10%), along with other elements like magnesium, sodium, and potassium. Various animals, especially rodents such as mice, squirrels, and porcupines, seek out and gnaw on these shed antlers.
This gnawing behavior, known as osteophagy, provides animals with essential nutrients that may be scarce in their diet. Larger scavengers like coyotes, bears, and other deer species have also been observed chewing on sheds.
Antlers decompose, returning nutrients to the soil and contributing to the nutrient cycle within their habitat. While human “shed hunting” is popular, the natural role of shed antlers in providing nutrition for wildlife continues.