Why do deer shed their antlers? Could you just walk up to a deer and take their antler off without hurting them?
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Image a tire swing on a tree that kids play with in summer. As winter approaches, they know they won’t be using it as much, so it makes more sense to take it down and put it away. The same is true for deer antlers. Antlers require a lot of nutrition to grow, and after a period of growth in the spring and summer, their need for nutrition decreases as winter approaches. Deer are very conscious of their energy expenditure in the winter months, so shedding their large antlers can save them energy and help them survive the cold season.
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