The reindeer cow Hallveig has shed both her antlers and currently the cow Regina has lost one of hers. When they lose them at this time of year it indicates that they are not expecting calves. This is unsurprising to the staff however, because there is no male presently residing in their heard at the zoo. Cows with calves generally keep their antlers until they give birth, which usually occurs in late spring or early summer. Although reindeer bulls keep their antlers until after the mating season, in the fall. Whenever reindeer lose their antlers, new ones start to grow almost immediately. There is also another reindeer living at the zoo, her name is Gullbrá (golden brow in English). She was born without antlers and around 4% of the reindeer population in Iceland are without antlers.
Reindeer are the only type of deer were both male and female animals have antlers, they lose them each year and new ones grow in return. The antlers grow under a dark brown, soft, veiny skin called velvet. When they are fully formed the antlers harden and the bony growth at the root of the antlers called a pedicle breaks through their skin. At that time the velvet dies and peels off the antlers, a while later they fall off. The antlers are a status symbol within the group, the animal with the largest are at the top of the hierarchy. When the bulls have lost their antlers, the cows are at the top of the hierarchy. In early spring the cows that are not pregnant lose their antlers and the cows that are with calf are the ‘’rulers’’ of the heard. That way the cows with calves may have priority while seeking the most appetizing forage.
Those who are interested in reindeer may read more about them on the website of the East Iceland Nature Research Centre.
