Elk Bugling

The North American Elk (Cervus elaphus) is also called the Wapiti,Each spring, male deer and elk begin... more

by Wildlife Fine Art

Title

Elk Bugling

Artist

Wildlife Fine Art

Medium

Photograph - Prints / Licensing

Description

The North American Elk (Cervus elaphus) is also called the Wapiti,Each spring, male deer and elk begin
growing antlers from bony bumps on their skulls called pedicles.
Increasing daylight elevates the level of the hormone testosterone in the animal's blood, which
triggers the growth of antlers. Antlers begin as layer upon layer of cartilage that slowly mineralizes
into bone. They are light and easily damaged until they completely mineralize in late summer.
A soft covering called velvet helps protect the antlers and carries blood to the growing bone tissue.
If you look closely at a deer or elk antler, you'll see grooves and ridges on it. These mark the paths
of veins that carried blood throughout the growing antlers. The blood stops flowing to the antlers in
August, the antlers finish hardening, and the velvet falls off or is rubbed off. The hardened antlers
are composed of calcium, phosphorous and as much as 50 percent water.
An antler grows faster than any other kind of bone. It can grow up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) a day during the
summer. Biologists are studying antlers in the hopes of learning the secrets of rampant cell growth,
secrets that may unlock cures to various forms of cancer.
In the second year, a bull elk usually grows slim, unbranched antlers called spikes that are 10-20 inches
(25-50 cm) long. By the third year, antlers begin developing tines that branch from the main beam.
By the seventh summer, a bull's antlers may have six tines each, weigh as much as 40 pounds (18 kg),
and grow to a length and spread of more than four feet (1.2 m). Why would an animal need to carry
around a rack of antlers that weighs so much? A large rack identifies a bull that is successful in
finding food, lots of food.
A bull must consume huge amounts of nutrients to obtain the energy and minerals needed to grow antlers
as well as the energy to carry them around. Large antlers also identify a bull that is able to defend
himself against other bulls and against predators.

Uploaded

September 14th, 2015