There are six factors that are responsible for " chocolate " antlers.
1. Buck age. The older more dominant bucks make many more rubs on trees than younger bucks, therefore their antlers tend to be darker.
2. Bark colouration of the predominant rubbing trees in the region, ie pine tree sap.
3. Genetics. Some strains of bucks have light coloured racks in their DNA while others have dark.
4. Time of year. Early in the fall, "new" antlers are darker and later in the season. Antlers that have been exposed to the sun and light longer are bleached out, especially in open habitats.
5. Habitat has a lot to do with it. Bucks that live in the thick dark timber as against open areas with ample sunlight.
6. Velvet shedding. When the bucks velvet peels off the antlers, blood stains the antlers.
1. Buck age. The older more dominant bucks make many more rubs on trees than younger bucks, therefore their antlers tend to be darker.
2. Bark colouration of the predominant rubbing trees in the region, ie pine tree sap.
3. Genetics. Some strains of bucks have light coloured racks in their DNA while others have dark.
4. Time of year. Early in the fall, "new" antlers are darker and later in the season. Antlers that have been exposed to the sun and light longer are bleached out, especially in open habitats.
5. Habitat has a lot to do with it. Bucks that live in the thick dark timber as against open areas with ample sunlight.
6. Velvet shedding. When the bucks velvet peels off the antlers, blood stains the antlers.
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