Velvet, a soft, fuzzy covering, is a specialized skin that encases the growing antlers of male deer. This tissue is richly supplied with blood vessels and nerves, providing nutrients and oxygen to the developing bone and cartilage underneath. Its purpose is to nourish the antlers, among the fastest-growing tissues in the animal kingdom, enabling them to achieve full size and strength.
The Annual Cycle of Velvet Loss
The shedding of velvet is an annual event for bucks, typically occurring in late summer or early fall. This timing is primarily governed by changes in photoperiod, which signals hormonal shifts within the deer’s body. As the days shorten, especially around late August or early September, a significant increase in testosterone levels occurs.
This surge in testosterone plays a role, signaling the cessation of antler growth and the hardening process. The hormonal changes cause the blood supply to the velvet to diminish and eventually cease, leading to the tissue drying and dying. This prompts the buck to begin removing the dead velvet.
The Shedding Process
Once the blood supply to the velvet diminishes due to rising testosterone, the tissue begins to dry, crack, and die. This dead velvet can become irritating and uncomfortable for the buck. To alleviate this discomfort and remove the material, bucks instinctively rub their antlers vigorously against trees, shrubs, and even the ground.
Rubbing helps strip away the velvet, revealing the hardened antler. This process can be rapid, sometimes taking only a few hours. It can also extend over a day or two, depending on the buck and the velvet’s condition. The appearance can be messy, with strips of bloody material hanging from the antlers.
Factors Influencing Timing
While late summer to early fall is the typical time for velvet shedding, several factors can cause variations in the timing. A buck’s age can influence when shedding occurs, with older bucks shedding their velvet earlier than younger deer. This earlier shedding in mature bucks is linked to higher testosterone levels.
Health and nutritional status also play a role; well-nourished deer may shed earlier. Geographic location, latitude, can affect the timing due to its influence on light cycles and hormonal fluctuations. Northern deer, for example, may shed earlier than those in southern regions. Genetic variations also contribute to a buck’s biological clock, leading to slight differences in shedding schedules.
Post-Shedding Antlers
After velvet shedding, the antlers emerge as hard structures. They often appear darker, attributed to dried blood stains from shedding and sap or tannins from trees and shrubs used for rubbing. The exposed antlers are sharp and have a dense texture.
The hardened antlers are then prepared for their function during the rut, or breeding season. They serve as tools for sparring with other males, establishing dominance hierarchies, and attracting mates. Bucks will continue to rub and polish their antlers for several days after shedding, refining their appearance and readiness for the breeding season.