Why Reindeer and Their Cousins Are Total Boneheads

Every year, male reindeer and their cervid cousins sprout huge crowns of bone on their heads, only to shed them after mating season. From velvet-covered growth to dramatic antler battles, scientists are uncovering how these “boneheads” pull it off.

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🦴 Males grow and shed up to 20 pounds of bone every year.

🌱 Antlers start covered in a nutrient-rich fuzz called velvet, which later dries and peels off.

🤕 To remove velvet, deer rub and scratch their antlers against trees.

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