Antlers are the usually large and complex bony growths on the head of most deer species.

Each antler grows from an attachment point on the skull called a pedicle and while an antler is growing it is covered with highly vascular skin called velvet, which supplies oxygen and nutrients to the growing bone.

Once the antler has finished growing, the velvet is lost and the remaining structure is the mature antler.

Antlers are grown and shed each year in a cycle that is linked with the breeding season.

Also see:
Horn