There are as many theories on the causes of different antler colors as there are different antlers. One hunter conducted his own experiments to learn the truth. Mike: Why do some bucks have chocolate antlers and others white racks? Seems like dark antlers are slightly more common on bigger bucks, am I right?-Tim from MN Whitetail biologist Mickey Hellickson told me in an email one time: Antler coloration is determined by several things, including: (1) buck age (older, more dominant bucks make many more rubs on trees than younger bucks, therefore.
Here's everything you need to know about reindeer antlers, from when they emerge, how often they shed and more. Antlers come in a variety of colors! Some headgear is bone colored while others are dark and brown. Antlers that are aged also take on different colors as well.
So, what causes antlers color? Keep in mind that antler is the fastest growing bone known to mankind. This highly vascular bone is covered with a scab like material called "Velvet". The growth of the antler is stimulated and.
Genetics play a significant role in antler color while environmental factors like albino deer and color blindness can also affect their pigmentation. Age and health of the deer, as well as environmental factors, can also contribute to the final color of antlers. The most common colors of deer antlers are brown, gray, white, and black.
The predominant species of trees in a deer's habitat can therefore directly influence the shades observed on their antlers. The local environment, including soil composition, contributes to antler color through minerals and dirt that transfer onto the antler surface during rubbing. Color is determined by the amount of HEMOGLOBIN supplied to the antlers during growth.
2.Oxidized blood/local plants. Names follow international convention [7][8] before the recent revision [9] (see Reindeer § Taxonomy below). Reindeer / caribou (Rangifer) vary in size from the smallest, the Svalbard reindeer (R.
(t.) platyrhynchus), to the largest, Osborn's caribou (R. t. osborni).
They also vary in coat color and antler architecture. The North American range of caribou extends from Alaska through the Yukon. Finally, the time of year can influence color as antlers generally lighten over time due to the bleaching effect of moisture and sunlight.
A buck's antler coloration is driven by genetics, age, behavior and the environment. This explains why you may see light, medium and/or dark antlers throughout the whitetail's range. Ever wonder why the color of deer antlers vary from deer to deer? We have seen really dark chocolate colored antlers all the way to bleach white antlers.
But why? Is it genetic? Is it habitat related? Does it have to do with how old a deer is? Well, let's take a minute to unpack some information with some deer experts.