[identity profile] youvebeenpixied.livejournal.com 2006-07-11 03:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Yay, deercam!

[identity profile] mrzodiac.livejournal.com 2006-07-11 04:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Science question: why are the antlers fuzzy?
reedrover: (Default)

"In Velvet"

[personal profile] reedrover 2006-07-11 04:24 pm (UTC)(link)
They are still growing. The term is "in velvet" and has to do with the protective covering that grows over the antlers while the antlers are growing on the deer. When the antlers are full size for the year, the covering starts to itch, and the buck will rub his antlers against anything rough (like a tree) to peel off the velvet fuzz and reveal the now-dead bone underneath. Then he'll go fight, mate, and shed his antlers at the end of the winter (hopefully in that order).

Re: "In Velvet"

[identity profile] mrzodiac.livejournal.com 2006-07-11 06:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Good to know, thanks!
reedrover: (Default)

Re: "In Velvet"

[personal profile] reedrover 2006-07-11 07:42 pm (UTC)(link)
You're welcome! Me = fount of useless knowledge!

Re: "In Velvet"

[identity profile] lizkayl.livejournal.com 2006-07-11 08:57 pm (UTC)(link)
I know that. didn't you ever watch Bambi?!