![]() Horn constantly adds to itself at the base of the skull, pushing the hardened portion forward and creating the curved shapes we see. The cows (female elk) are smaller than the male and do not have antlers. In contrast, elk antlers are typically shorter and have a more pointed and branched shape. Moose antlers can span up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) across, with a large palm-like shape. Male moose have larger antlers compared to male elk. Horn is a two-part structure made up of an interior portion of bone that is covered by an exterior sheath of specialized hair follicles that grow together and harden over time. Antler Size: Another noticeable difference between elk and moose is the size of their antlers. Bull (male) elk use their antlers to fight each other for mates and territory. Large antlers might also attract mates and intimidate rivals because healthier elk will have larger sets. The shedding of antlers is caused by the new antler bud pushing the old one off right at the base of the skull. Developing antlers have blood vessels underneath a velvety skin, which can help to regulate an animal's body temperature. In late summer, blood flow gets restricted due to an annual spike in testosterone, and antlers slowly morph into a hard bone by fall, then they are shed in spring. Antlers are actually covered in a blood bearing tissue called “velvet” when in the growth stage. Male elks dig up the ground with their antlers and. The two terms, antler and horn, get mixed up a lot, but they are completely different. Antlers grow during the summer and are shed in the late winter. ![]() ![]() Those species are not members of the deer family and carry their horns their entire life. The horned animals in North America include the 4 sub-species of wild sheep, antelope, Bison, and Mountain Goat. One reason for this is the fact that reindeer must compete more vigorously for food in the cold regions in which they live. Reindeer and Caribou are the only deer species in which the female also grow antlers! Reindeer are the only deer species in which females have antlers. All male members of the deer family in North America shed their antlers annually, including Moose, Whitetail Deer, Blacktail Deer, Sitka Deer, Couse Deer, Reindeer, and Caribou.
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