Shedding

This image is rather gruesome. The velvet covering on the new antlers is rich in blood vessels and nerves, and serves to nourish the antlers as they grow. As the Buck  approaches the rut, his testosterone levels rise, and the velvet "dies" and is of no further use. At this time of the year  the Buck  and the Red Deer Stag can be seen scratching their antlers on tree branches, fences etc, in an endeavour to cast off the now redundant velvet. They feel no pain with this process.

Have a great Bank Holiday weekend everyone  ((: