From Crown to Ground: The Journey of Elk Antlers
As the chill of winter begins to thaw and the first signs of spring emerge, an intriguing natural process takes place in the animal kingdom: the shedding of antlers by elk and deer. At LC Nature Park, this annual phenomenon offers a fascinating glimpse into the life cycles of these majestic creatures, and we’re excited to share more about it with you!
Antlers are one of the most unique and impressive features of deer species, including our own elk population at LC Nature Park. These bony structures are primarily grown by males and are closely tied to their testosterone levels. Each winter, as the breeding season winds down and the days get shorter, the amount of testosterone in male deer decreases. This triggers antler shedding.
As the days lengthen the testosterone levels start climbing again and antler growth starts up. Antler bone is one of the fastest-growing tissues in the animal kingdom. Our elk start regrowing their antlers in late March, and by the time the rut comes around in September, they have already regrown impressive antlers that can weigh up to 15 lbs each.
One of the key distinguishers between antlers and horns (which our bison have) is that antlers are only grown by male members of the deer family. The bucks and bulls will use the antlers to fight rivals and attract mates. The only exception to this is reindeer where both males and females grow antlers. The males will drop their antlers in early December, while the females will keep them until after they give birth. This unique trait helps females defend resources, especially in the challenging Arctic environment.
Join Us for the Antler Round-up!
Curious to see this process up close? Join us at LC Nature Park on March 29 for our Antler Round-up! This family-friendly event offers a chance to explore the park and discover shed antlers scattered throughout the landscape. You can’t keep the antlers, but if you find one you do win a prize. It’s a perfect opportunity to learn more about the role of antlers in wildlife ecology and to witness firsthand the beauty of nature’s renewal.
The Antler Round-up is the only time in which visitors can go inside one of our enclosures. Don’t worry though, we move the bison and the elk to a different area of the park, so it’s safe. Spots are limited so be sure to register today to save your spot!
Don’t miss out on this unique springtime adventure! We look forward to welcoming you to LC Nature Park as we celebrate the wonder of the natural world together.