Drone Catches a Bull Moose Shedding Both Antlers at Once

Moose are the largest members of the deer family. If you have ever seen a male moose (called a bull), you know just how impressive they are, especially with their enormous antlers. What’s even more remarkable, however, is that these bulls actually grow, shed, and regrow a brand new pair of antlers every single year. In this YouTube video, a lucky drone pilot captured a bull moose shedding both of its massive antlers at the exact same time!

Just How Big Do Moose Antlers Get?

Moose antlers are very different from horns. They are actually bones that sprout directly from a moose’s skull, branching out like tree limbs as they grow. They grow incredibly fast and can spread up to 6 feet and weigh as much as 80 pounds — imagine balancing that much weight on your head! But somehow, moose manage it, and even use their impressive racks to attract females and spar with other males.

Only males grow antlers, with the largest sets typically found on bulls between 10 and 12 years old. Moose antlers are the fastest-growing bones of any animal. A healthy adult moose can add a whole pound of new growth to his antlers each day! However, this demands a lot of energy and resources; to grow the best rack, a moose needs a diet rich in protein and other nutrients. Roughly 50 to 80 percent of a moose’s diet goes directly into growing his antlers, so the bigger and more robust the antlers, the healthier the animal.

Why Moose Shed and Regrow Their Antlers

What’s amazing about a moose’s impressive antlers is that they are completely shed and regrown every single year. As summer approaches and daylight hours increase, a moose’s body starts producing more testosterone. This surge in hormones triggers the growth of new antlers. These antlers begin as cartilage and are covered in a soft, fuzzy “velvet.” This velvet is made up of skin and short, dense hair that protects the growing antlers and carries oxygen-rich blood to help them expand. As the antlers grow, they harden and transform from cartilage into strong bone. The moose’s body draws calcium from its own reserves and diet to strengthen its rapidly developing antlers.

Once the antlers reach their full size, the velvet begins to dry out. As you might imagine, this dry, hairy skin is pretty itchy, so moose rub their antlers against trees to scrape it off.

So why do moose only need their massive antlers for a few months each year? Their primary purpose is for marking territory and establishing dominance. Moose rub their antlers on trees to leave their scent and claim their space. They also use their antlers to spar with other males. Initially, these sparring sessions can be playful, but as more bulls are drawn to the scene by the clashing of antlers, the encounters can escalate into serious battles. The males lock antlers and push against each other with immense strength. These contests help the bulls determine their social standing and dominance, which is crucial for gaining access to females during mating season.

How Moose Antlers Fall Off

In the fall and winter, daylight decreases, causing the moose’s testosterone production to drop. The decreased testosterone causes the connection between the antlers and the moose’s skull to weaken, and eventually, the cumbersome structures fall off completely. Much like a child with a loose tooth, bull moose often help speed up the process by shaking their heads and bodies from side to side. For the bull in the YouTube video, this technique worked perfectly, causing both antlers to pop off his head at the same time. The bull must have felt a new sense of freedom after losing all that weight!

The Afterlife of Shed Moose Antlers

You might be able to collect discarded moose antlers, but regulations vary by region. In some areas, you may need a permit or must follow specific seasons or rules, while in others, collecting shed antlers is allowed without a permit. This is because these shed antlers are incredibly valuable to the entire ecosystem.

Moose antlers are packed with vital nutrients like protein, calcium, and phosphorus. Rodents, in particular, love to gnaw on them. The antlers provide a rich source of nutrients and also help wear down their continuously growing teeth. Animals like porcupines, rabbits, raccoons, opossums, foxes, otters, deer, and bears also munch on antlers, helping to balance their diets.

As the leftover antlers slowly decompose on the ground, they release their valuable nutrients back into the soil. The nutrients are then absorbed by plants, aiding in the growth and development of the entire forest.

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