Reindeer are well-adapted to some of the planet’s harshest environments. Their antlers are a distinctive feature, but unlike most deer species, both male and female reindeer commonly grow them. This unique characteristic often sparks questions about which reindeer have antlers and when.
Female Reindeer and Winter Antlers
Female reindeer retain their antlers through the winter months. This contrasts with male reindeer, who typically shed their antlers much earlier in the season, usually around late autumn or early December, after the mating period. Pregnant female reindeer keep their antlers until spring, often until after they have given birth to their calves. This extended retention period provides them with an advantage during a critical time when food resources are scarce and competition for sustenance is high.
The Antler Cycle of Reindeer
Antlers are bony outgrowths that grow from a structure on the skull called a pedicle. During their growth phase, antlers are covered in a soft, fuzzy skin known as “velvet.” This velvet contains blood vessels and nerves that supply nutrients for rapid antler development. Reindeer antlers can grow quickly, sometimes up to an inch per day.
Once the antlers reach their full size and harden, typically by late summer or early autumn, the velvet dries and is shed. Reindeer rub their antlers against vegetation to remove the velvet, revealing the hard bone beneath. The timing of antler growth and shedding is regulated by hormones, which are influenced by seasonal changes in daylight. This hormonal control also accounts for the differences in antler retention between male and female reindeer.
Unique Antler Traits of Reindeer
Reindeer are the only deer species where both males and females commonly grow antlers. While male antlers are generally larger, reaching up to 51 inches in length, female antlers can still grow significantly, typically between 9 and 20 inches long. This shared antler growth is a notable evolutionary adaptation, especially beneficial for females in their harsh Arctic environment. Female reindeer use their antlers to compete for and defend food sources, particularly by clearing snow to access lichen during winter. Having antlers allows them to maintain social dominance and secure better access to limited resources, which is especially important for pregnant females.