Summary:
- Female caribou, also known as reindeer, grow antlers as a way to obtain extra nutrients after giving birth. The antlers provide a convenient source of calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals that the female caribou needs to recover and produce milk for their calves.
- Antler growth in female caribou is a unique adaptation that helps them meet the high nutritional demands of lactation and caring for their young. This ability sets them apart from most other deer species, where only the males typically grow antlers.
- The article explains how the female caribou's antlers start growing shortly after they give birth, reaching their full size within a few months. The antlers then fall off naturally, providing the female caribou with a readily available source of essential minerals to support their postpartum needs.