Antlers are extensions of an animal's skull found in members of the Cervidae (deer) family. Antlers are a single structure composed of bone, cartilage, fibrous tissue, skin, nerves, and blood vessels. They are generally found only on males, with the exception of reindeer/caribou. Antlers are shed and regrown each year and function primarily as objects of sexual attraction and as weapons.
Mature red deer stag, Denmark
Red deer at the beginning of the growing season
Male fallow deer fighting
Two sambar deer fighting, Silvassa, India
A deer or true deer is a hoofed ruminant ungulate of the family Cervidae. It is divided into subfamilies Cervinae and Capreolinae. Male deer of almost all species, as well as female reindeer, grow and shed new antlers each year. These antlers are bony extensions of the skull and are often used for combat between males.
Deer
"The Stag Hunt of Frederick III, Elector of Saxony" by Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1529
Chital deer in Nagarahole, India
Reindeer herds standing on snow to avoid flies