MOOSE, Wyo. — It’s antler growing season for moose and other members of the deer family like mule deer, elk and white-tailed deer in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Local photographer Karyn Schiller captured an elk donning a fresh set of velvet antlers in Grand Teton National Park.
“These fuzzy antlers are growing furiously. In the fall they will be stripped and shiny, ready to do battle over the ladies,” said Schiller.
Antlers grow from April or May until August. Beginning as small bumps called pedicles on each side of the forehead, the antlers enlarge until they are knobs. The knobs change into antlers and grow until August.
The black fuzz, called velvet, covers the antlers until the antlers are full grown. According to Yellowstone National Park, the velvet is actually a network of veins, feeding blood to grow the flat palmate antlers.
