Male deer are known for their antlers, which can grow quite large in size. Sometimes, two bucks can actually lock their antlers during a fight, leading to a dangerous, often life-threatening situation for both the animals.Â
This was the case in the recent viral video, which you can watch at the bottom of this article. The video showcases two male deer desperately trying to separate their antlers by flailing around. Their antlers are locked tight, and they’re both unable to break free of each other.
Thankfully, Sergeant Scott Kallweit was able to shoot part of one of the antlers off, getting them unstuck. If it wasn’t for his precise shot, the deer could have continued exhausting themselves until the point of death. In fact, they might have even starved to death or suffered other life-threatening issues.
What Are Deer Antlers Made Of?
Deer antlers are made of bone and are covered in a thin layer of skin, blood vessels, and short hair. This layer often has a soft, velvety feel to it and supplies the antlers with the proper nutrients needed to grow.
Is It Common for Two Deer’s Antlers to Get Caught?
While it’s not exactly common for two deer to get their antlers caught on each other, it’s also not entirely rare. It’s most possible for them to get stuck during a fight. Because whitetail bucks are aggressive toward each other, often competing for food or mates, fights are quite common. They typically don’t lead to what is shown in the video below, but they can — especially if the brawl lasts for more than just a few moments.
What Why Do Bucks Fight Each Other?
Two male deer, or bucks, will fight each other if they’re attempting to establish their dominance. In fact, they’ll often push their antlers against each other at full force to determine which of them is the strongest. This is usually how they establish a hierarchy.
Additionally, some attack each other while competing for a female deer. This is especially common during rutting season (or mating season). This typically occurs during autumn months when male deer are on the prowl and searching for a mate. Because male deer compete with each other to find a mate so they can breed, they often end up fighting each other using their antlers. This can (rarely but possibly) lead to locking antlers, as shown in the video below.
Watch the Impressive Video Below
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