Stand up armed

Horn or antlers: who wears what and why, and what is the forehead made of? A little zoological headdress science.

by CHRISTIAN YOUNG

Pointed antlers sit on the head of the male stag – a headdress that impresses with increasing splendor and size. Set in scene with the appropriate showmanship, he is a symbol of masculinity. The antlers help in the fight for mating privileges and are used for defence.

Antlers, like horns, are direct outgrowths of the frontal bone. However, while “horn” is made up of accumulated dead, compacted cellular material from the skin, antlers are made up of bony material. However, finds…

Stand up armed
Read more with bdw+

now Try 1 month FREE and get access to all posts and the large archive of bdw+!

secure offer

Are you already a digital subscriber?
Register here >>

Recent Articles

Related Stories