Velvet Bucks

Antlers are unique in the animal kingdom as the fastest-growing bone structures in mammals.  

While growing, they are covered in a soft, fuzzy skin called velvet—a dense network of blood vessels and nerves that delivers the oxygen, hormones, and nutrients required to fuel this remarkable, rapid growth.

Because velvet antlers represent a rare instance of a mammal regenerating a complex tissue structure from scratch every year, scientists frequently study them as a model for bone growth and regenerative medicine.

The trail camera trap line recently captured several great bucks currently in full velvet. Be sure to check out the dandy at the end!