Caribou Antlers and Their Transformation

The video explores the fascinating process of antler growth in male Caribou, highlighting how they grow up to 20 lbs of bone annually. Antlers are living tissues with blood vessels and nerve endings, covered by a sensitive skin called velvet. Each Caribou has a unique velvet pattern that regenerates yearly. The velvet eventually dies and is shed, leaving behind hard bone antlers used in battles. This transformation is crucial for understanding why antlers shed their velvet, as sensitive antlers would be ineffective in fights.

What is the primary reason male Caribou grow antlers every spring?

• To attract mates

• To regulate body temperature

• To prepare for battles

• To store nutrients

What is the velvet on Caribou antlers?

• A type of fur

• A sensitive skin covering

• A protective shell

• A layer of fat

How does the velvet on Caribou antlers change over time?

• It changes color

• It becomes thicker

• It dies and is scraped away

• It turns into bone

Why is it important for Caribou to shed their velvet before fighting?

• Velvet is not aerodynamic

• Velvet attracts predators

• Velvet is too heavy

• Velvet is sensitive and can bleed

What happens to the antlers after the velvet is shed?

• They fall off

• They become soft

• They harden into bone

• They change color