Royal 6 point Elk is a photograph by Wildlife Fine Art which was uploaded on September 29th, 2017.
Royal 6 point Elk
Royal 6 point Elk running through a opening in Yellowstone park. The North American Elk (Cervus elaphus) is also called the Wapiti,Each spring, male... more
Title
Royal 6 point Elk
Artist
Wildlife Fine Art
Medium
Photograph - Prints / Licensing
Description
Royal 6 point Elk running through a opening in Yellowstone park. The North American Elk (Cervus elaphus) is also called the Wapiti,Each spring, male deer and elk begin
growing antlers from bony bumps on their skulls called pedicles.
Increasing daylight elevates the level of the hormone testosterone in the animal's blood, which
triggers the growth of antlers. Antlers begin as layer upon layer of cartilage that slowly mineralizes
into bone. They are light and easily damaged until they completely mineralize in late summer.
A soft covering called velvet helps protect the antlers and carries blood to the growing bone tissue.
If you look closely at a deer or elk antler, you'll see grooves and ridges on it. These mark the paths
of veins that carried blood throughout the growing antlers. The blood stops flowing to the antlers in
August, the antlers finish hardening, and the velvet falls off or is rubbed off. The hardened antlers
are composed of calcium, phosphorous and as much as 50 percent water.
An antler grows faster than any other kind of bone. It can grow up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) a day during the
summer. Biologists are studying antlers in the hopes of learning the secrets of rampant cell growth,
secrets that may unlock cures to various forms of cancer.
In the second year, a bull elk usually grows slim, unbranched antlers called spikes that are 10-20 inches
(25-50 cm) long. By the third year, antlers begin developing tines that branch from the main beam.
By the seventh summer, a bull's antlers may have six tines each, weigh as much as 40 pounds (18 kg),
and grow to a length and spread of more than four feet (1.2 m). Why would an animal need to carry
around a rack of antlers that weighs so much? A large rack identifies a bull that is successful in
finding food, lots of food.
A bull must consume huge amounts of nutrients to obtain the energy and minerals needed to grow antlers
as well as the energy to carry them around.
****************Thanks to the following group administrators for featuring my elk image called Royal 6 point Elk **************** Animal Photographs,All Natural Beauty of this World, Images That Excite You, Animals PHOTOS ONLY, Animals and Birds in the Wild ,Wildlife ONE A DAY, Big Sky of Art, Dimensions, Your Very Best Photograph.
Uploaded
September 29th, 2017
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Comments (15)
Wildlife Fine Art
Thank you Sharon Mau for featuring my elk image called Royal 6 point Elk in the group Dimensions !
Wildlife Fine Art
Thank you Jeannette Hunt for featuring my elk image called Royal 6 point Elk in the group Animals PHOTOS ONLY !
Wildlife Fine Art
Thank you Mia DeLode for featuring my elk image called Royal 6 point Elk in the group Big Sky of Art !
Wildlife Fine Art
Thank you Mariola Bitner for featuring my elk image called Royal 6 point Elk in the group Wildlife ONE A DAY !
Wildlife Fine Art
Thank you Pravine Chester for featuring my elk image called Royal 6 point Elk in the group Animals and Birds in the Wild !
John M Bailey
Congratulations on your feature in the Fine Art America Group "Images That Excite You!"
Wildlife Fine Art replied:
Thank you John M Bailey for featuring my elk image called Royal 6 point Elk in the group Images That Excite You !
Wildlife Fine Art
Thank you B Vesseur for featuring my elk image called Royal 6 point Elk in the group All Natural Beauty of this World !
Wildlife Fine Art
Thank you Doug Norkum for featuring my elk image called Royal 6 point Elk in the group Animal Photographs !