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What Species of Deer Has Antlers on Both Male & Female?

Although there are several species of deer, only the reindeer and caribou are species where both males and females have antlers. Caribou males and reindeer males start growing their antlers in February, whereas the females start regrowing theirs in May. Unlike horns, which are permanent, antlers shed once a year. Many species of animals look like deer and look like they have antlers. However, species such as the gazelle have horns instead of antlers.

Caribou
- Caribou are native to Europe, Asia, North America and Greenland.
  
  Although reindeer and caribou are the same species, caribou are wild and larger than reindeer. Male caribou antlers reach 51 inches tall, whereas female antlers reach a length of about 20 inches, but can be smaller. Although both male and female caribou finish growing their antlers at the same time of year, they shed them at different times of the year. Males shed their antlers in November; however, females shed their antlers after winter at the start of the birthing season in May.
Reindeer
- Reindeer antlers are smaller than the antlers of caribou but are still large. Male reindeer antlers are at least 20 inches but are rarely larger than 50 inches. Female reindeer antlers can be as small as half the size of males and are rarely larger than 20 inches. Just like the caribou, reindeer males shed their antlers before winter and females shed theirs in the spring. Reindeer live in northern hemispheres such as Scandinavia, arctic North America and Greenland where they are herded domestically for food and resources as well as to pull sleds.
More About Caribou and Reindeer
- Caribou and reindeer grow to 4 to 7 feet at the shoulder and can weigh up to 700 pounds. Like all deer, caribou and reindeer are herbivores, so when grass is hidden by snow, they eat lichens and moss over the winter as a food source.
What Antlers Are Used For
- In other species of antler-bearing animals such as the white-tailed deer, only the male produces antlers to use for mating rights, like the caribou and reindeer do. However, female deer species do not fight for mating rights because they depend on speed and agility to outrun predators and dart into brush. In contrast, female caribou and reindeer use their antlers for protection from predators such as grizzly bears, wolves and eagles that feed on caribou young.

Animals & Science