Male Elk

• Only the male elk grows antlers, which is also true of such species as whitetail deer and moose.
  
  

Time Frame

• The antlers of elk remain on the animal until winter ends, unlike those of moose and deer. The elk's antlers fall off in April or May, then the elk immediately begins to start growing its next set.
  
  

Function

• Elk males grow antlers so that they can spar with other males for the right to mate with females. While the antlers are a burden when they become very heavy, the fact that elk stay in groups during the winter means the males will also compete for food---keeping their antlers until spring allows this.
  
  

Living Tissue

• Antlers are living tissue and grow at an incredible rate. The huge antlers of some elk grow to their full size in three to four months.
  
  

Calcium

• Elk consume large volumes of calcium to help their antlers prosper. Once the mating season ends, the male elk's body begins to reabsorb the calcium in the antlers; they become brittle and fall off soon after.