Antlers
"They are complicated crowns of sexual display, adapted in part to actually curtail fighting among males. At a glance, bulls know who shouldn’t be messed with, who’s the biggest dog in the junkyard. Biologist Valerius Geist called them “visual dominance-rank systems.” But when display is not enough, antlers are the ungulate equivalent of elbows and knees in a parking lot brawl. They are aspects of self-defense, something to tilt toward the ground when the wolves start to circle. Most of all, however, antlers are simply themselves—extraordinary products of natural selection, addressing a complicated set of needs within a species" ( RMEF )
I'm fortunate enough to live in a region that supports a healthy elk herd and some really impressive bulls. I've been observing religiously for the past several years. Paying special attention from August through November.
Aggressive bull interaction & battle intrigues me the most. Especially with the mature dominant bulls who appear to be about the same age. Watching this, and comparing antler size, shape, and formation.
Which brings into question.
How do bull elk's antlers shape size & design help in intimidation & battle. Narrow spread vs wide? Long beams vs short? Long tines vs shorter tines? How do bulls use certain tines in battle? Is there a certain tine that is most important in battle? Does antler shape & size, tine length and size, have anything to do with having an advantage in battle?
I once witnessed a mature bull elk with one antler ( other was broken off just above the brow tine ) win a battle with another bull who was fully equipped with both antlers.
Maybe antler structure has nothing to do with superiority & winning. Maybe it's just pure aggression and testosterone level.
Bull elk communication, posturing & antler use might be very complex, or, maybe it's simpler than I'm imagining.
Assume bulls are the same age
#1 Tines
#2 Width
#3 Tines & Width
