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Water cascading. (i.imgur.com)

submitted ago by Boonlink

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[–]aladin_20 60 points61 points ago

Not a moose expert here but why does it have skin/fur on its antlers?

[–]Boonlink[S] 91 points92 points ago

Moose shed their antlers every year, as they grow they have velvet (fur/skin) and in the fall they tear it off by rubbing their antlers on trees (can get pretty bloody cause there is blood vessels in there too).

[–]highguy98 14 points15 points ago

Wait, wait, wait. That's what "shedding" antlers refers to? I always thought that meant the whole fucking things dropped off and regrew every year, not a fluffy covering over the antlers. This is pretty mind-blowing for me if so.

[–]JPong 17 points18 points ago

No, the antlers come off at a later time.

When they grow, they have skin and fur over them to supply the materials to build the antlers. They grow more like a tree than from the base like a sheep or goat horn (at least, that's how I get the impression from looking at them). When they want to start head butting each other, they lose the fur and skin (and the associated nerves) because that would be painful and bloody.

After mating season the antlers fall off, and you can find them if you are lucky.

[–]highguy98 7 points8 points ago

Thanks man, I need to sleep more. Never really considered how an antler would regrow up until now. What is the advantage of this? Doesn't it waste a lot of minerals? I remember reading that shed antlers are a food source for some other creatures.

[–]JPong 7 points8 points ago

I honestly couldn't tell you why, or what feeds on them. My guess would be something to do with traversing the forest/carrying around heavy antlers in winter wouldn't be fun. Energy/minerals spent when they are plentiful is easier than obtaining them when they are scarce and all.

I am not a moose expert, so any and all information may be wrong. A cursory wikipedia says it's to conserve energy, and has this delightful picture of a moose with "young" antlers.

[–]GOATSQUIRTS 0 points1 point ago

i'm learning so much here, thanks guy!

[–]whiskeydeltatango 2 points3 points ago

Antlers are, in the larger context of evolution, an incredibly bad move. They are almost ENTIRELY for sexual selection, and serve little other purpose than helping you fight other males for the right to copulate. They can be used for defense, but deer tend to run from whatever's trying to kill them, not fight it.

To my knowledge, nothing feeds on antlers. They are grown and shed every year by deer in temperate climes.

[–]Ancguy 1 point2 points ago

The antlers are bone (calcium) and rodents and porcupines eat them. Source- I'm an Alaskan and a moose hunter.

[–]AsterJ 1 point2 points ago

Probably the antlers are not useful all year. Animals must waste more energy on antlers carrying them around than just regrowing them later when they are needed.

[–]JPong 0 points1 point ago

It may not even be wasting more on carrying them vs regrowing them, just that in winter, food is hard to come by, and every bit counts vs regrowing them in spring and summer when food sources are just very plentiful.

[–]downloadmoarram 0 points1 point ago

i believe its the shed velvet that becomes food for other animals. by the time the antlers fall off, they are just porous bone

[–]KlM-JONG-IL 4 points5 points ago

The whole god damn antler falls off? TIL

They grow fast enough that they can just produce a new set each year?

[–]JPong 3 points4 points ago

One of the fastest growing organs on an animal. Those things can weigh quite a bit as well. 50-60lbs (not a reliable source, just the first link I found with a weight in them but it sounds about what I remember hearing before).

[–]Afa1234 2 points3 points ago

I have lived in Alaska all my life and I have yet to find the fallen antlers :/

[–]whiskeydeltatango 1 point2 points ago

It's pretty rare to find them, you have to know where to look and when to go. There are people who hunt antlers for a living, and they're in the bush at the right time to make sure they get the easy pickings.

[–]Ancguy 0 points1 point ago

There are people who are training dogs to find antlers- they can be sold, usually to Asian herbalists who grind them up for use in traditional medicines, or to people who just want some nice antlers for display.

[–]Boonlink[S] 1 point2 points ago

I've only ever found one and it was chewed up by beavers and porcupines.

[–]sickly_snake 4 points5 points ago

No no, the whole antlers do fall off. The velvet covers the antlers as they're growing back, then falls off when that year's antlers are fully grown.

[–]Boonlink[S] 0 points1 point ago

Any animal with antlers, sheds them in winter and regrows them every year. Animals with horns keep them forever.

[–]koynter 4 points5 points ago

Any nerves?

[–]fucking_leverpostej 5 points6 points ago

In the velvet, yes. This is to prevent the moose from damaging the antlers before they're done growing. As the summer approaches the blood is cut of, leaving the velvet to die and fall off.

[–]Boonlink[S] 1 point2 points ago

I don't think so, I don't think it's painful for them. When it's time the antlers kinda just starts to die.

[–]Mikuta 25 points26 points ago

TIL

[–]bobbybusche 24 points25 points ago

You downvoted yourself.

[–]Mikuta 86 points87 points ago

Reddit hardmode.

[–]KosherDev 9 points10 points ago

I feel it empitomizes Canada.

"Aww, look at that soft fuzzy stuff on it's he---OH GOD ITS TEARING ITS SKIN OFF THE REVEAL DEADLY SPIKES OF BONE!!!"

Canada: Polite on the outside, but we'll shank you.

[–]rthaw 5 points6 points ago

You must be Canadian. FYI, this is the opposite of how the rest of the world views Canada.

[–]KosherDev 3 points4 points ago

Take that back or I'll shank you, sorry.

How's that?

[–]Durzo_Blunts 0 points1 point ago

We think about Canada?

[–]aarghIforget 3 points4 points ago

You must be American.

[–]Durzo_Blunts 0 points1 point ago

Indeed!

[–]RaindropBebop 0 points1 point ago

By "shed their antlers" do you mean that their entire antlers just fall off?

[–]digger_ex_pat 2 points3 points ago

It is called velvet.

[–]Spectrum_Yellow 8 points9 points ago

That would make a pretty neat water fountain

[–]Mrs_Fonebone 0 points1 point ago

That was exactly my thought--especially if it were life-sized.

[–]Icarusian 0 points1 point ago

Or a shower head.

[–]batdad89 0 points1 point ago

srsly remind me to buy a goat next time i need a waterfountain lol

[–]Stillson 16 points17 points ago

Upvote for Moose. I fucking love Moose.

[–]mooselovesyou 13 points14 points ago

We love you too.

[–]Sure_lll_Eat_That 4 points5 points ago

Yeah but do you love fucking Moose?

[–]WGMindless 5 points6 points ago

Reminds me of Moris the Midget Moose.

[–]mrpickles 3 points4 points ago

Why is he carrying 2 beavers in his antlers?

[–]KlM-JONG-IL -1 points0 points ago

It's a new disney movie about mosse and beavers

[–]ms_aphrodite 3 points4 points ago

That moose is the most badass water bender ever.

[–]thebayway 3 points4 points ago

The word "moose" is derived from the native North American Algonquian Indian word meaning "twig eater".

[–]MoonPark 2 points3 points ago

Beautiful! Moose (meese? mooses?) are so adorable, I love to see them getting some love and that is a fantastic photo!

[–]PrinceofIce 4 points5 points ago

Its like fish. It can be plural or singular. Look at all those moose on that side of the mountain, quick we need to get back to the car, a moose is nearby.

[–]MoonPark 0 points1 point ago

Thank you! :) I still use "fishes" sometimes, I have apparently yet to get the hang of plurals XD

[–]Brandon749 1 point2 points ago

Fishes refers to multiple species of fish. So you are right sometimes

[–]Durzo_Blunts 0 points1 point ago

Relevant

[–]nickpaterni 3 points4 points ago

A Møøse once bit my sister ...

[–]Boonlink[S] 0 points1 point ago

Lol what was that from again?

[–]Brimmk 0 points1 point ago

the opening credits of Monty Python and the Holy Grail (a.k.a. Spamalot)

[–]Ancguy 0 points1 point ago

The credits in the Monty Python movie- the search for the holy grail one.

[–]nickpaterni 0 points1 point ago

http://www.smouse.force9.co.uk/monty.htm Sauce

[–]Brimmk 0 points1 point ago

I am going to visit the lovely lakes...

[–]gortyo 1 point2 points ago

Look at dem dumpers!

[–]bluffernutter 1 point2 points ago

that's a great photograph

[–]subminute 1 point2 points ago

Fuck yeah. Water. So fucking good.

[–]strikerthedj 0 points1 point ago

He looks like he is about to fuck shit up.

[–]Diabetesh 1 point2 points ago

I wish I had a moose fountain

[–]crustycamal 1 point2 points ago

Is that fur on his horns?

[–]whiskeydeltatango 1 point2 points ago

It's called "velvet" and it will eventually come off. It's skin that supplies nutrients so that the antlers will grow.

[–]Toovya 0 points1 point ago

Dat feel when you get a drink and water cascades off your antlers.

[–]BULLSNAP 1 point2 points ago

I wanna lick it.

[–]s3c10n8 0 points1 point ago

Up from the depths, forty stories high.....

[–]Tickertwo 1 point2 points ago

So that's where water comes from.

[–]koenge 1 point2 points ago

Canada, moose & waterfalls

[–]MakueUnleashed 1 point2 points ago

I always just assumed that this is what all Canadian fountains were like. Although I assumed they dispensed maple syrup.

[–]sophiesongbird 1 point2 points ago

Pictures like this are why I keep coming back to Reddit. There is so much beauty in the world!

[–]Arknell 1 point2 points ago

DRIP DRIP MOTHERFUCKER.

[–]Jawshee_pdx 0 points1 point ago

He looks like he's about to cascade across that photographers face.

[–]ZioTron 0 points1 point ago

antlers, mouth, nostrils...

I'm surprised it doesn't pour from its eyes too...

[–]ukrainiancigarette 0 points1 point ago

Zim's room with a moose now includes water boarding; PREPARE FOR YOUR MOOSEY-FATE!

[–]gwiz665 0 points1 point ago

It's beautiful this time of year at Moose Falls.

[–]Theothor 0 points1 point ago

Like this.

[–]holla_snackbar -1 points0 points ago

I now understand the lyrics don't go chasing waterfalls.

You'll never catch them moose!!

[–]EnragedMoose -1 points0 points ago

ಠ_ಠ

[–]Louis_Hasole 0 points1 point ago

Blah blah blah Canada

[–]stiggybr0 0 points1 point ago

what is this? A water slide for ants?!

[–]luckytaurus 0 points1 point ago

FTFY

[–]dlieber 0 points1 point ago

could someone format this for a wallpaper? :D

[–]forumdestroyer156 0 points1 point ago

Canadian water fountain.

[–]slothtopus 0 points1 point ago

that could be a water pokemon... sixth gen

[–]wildlingval 0 points1 point ago

As an Ohioan it always shocks me how little people know of the anatomy of antlered quadripeds.

[–]Poi159 1 point2 points ago

FIFY for better results. ;) http://imgur.com/YQG2PdJ

[–]downloadmoarram 0 points1 point ago

where is /u/qualityenforcer when i want a new wallpaper?!?

[–]AWM1 0 points1 point ago

And... screensaver here -http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8049/8406191327_0ff8e90b40_b.jpg

[–]SimplePhysics22 0 points1 point ago

the right side flows water, while the left side cascades water.

[–]nthman 0 points1 point ago

That moose sure does look pissed.

[–]hammerheads220 0 points1 point ago

On a hot summer sidewalk

[–]kblais 0 points1 point ago

he is so majestic

[–]voyyful 0 points1 point ago

What a majestic animal. Canada or Norway?

[–]Boonlink[S] 1 point2 points ago

I didn't know moose existed anywhere outside Canada, lol. I grew up in Alberta and have had many close encounters. I wish I had a camera back then to capture some of those encounters.

[–]voyyful 10 points11 points ago

Moose distribution map from Wikipedia. I guess they are more prevalent then either of us thought.

[–]voyyful 20 points21 points ago

Or moosetribution map if you like.

[–]Mrs_Fonebone 8 points9 points ago

My sister was once bitten by a moose.

[–]voyyful 3 points4 points ago

I had a friend who was once chased up a tree by a moose. He said he dident like them much after that.

[–]Mrs_Fonebone 0 points1 point ago

How far up did the moose climb? Probably would have been better to--ahem--vamoose.

[–]KingShit_of_FuckMtn 3 points4 points ago

Mynd you, moose bites kan be pretty nasti....

[–]Mrs_Fonebone 0 points1 point ago

Bingo!

[–]done_holding_back 1 point2 points ago

Did she turn into a weremoose?

[–]Mrs_Fonebone 1 point2 points ago

Where moose!? probably too obscure

[–]totallynotsquidward 3 points4 points ago

Wtf Korea why.

[–]strikerthedj 0 points1 point ago

Im surprised North Korea hasent been grayed out in this map. I didnt expect them to release their moose.

[–]voyyful 0 points1 point ago

Hahaha

[–]KlM-JONG-IL 0 points1 point ago

What you laughing at

[–]bsolidgold 0 points1 point ago

We have a lot of moose here in Utah.

[–]phedre 0 points1 point ago

Your map is inaccurate. Though they are not a native species, there are moose in Newfoundland.

[–]KlM-JONG-IL 0 points1 point ago

I can confirm we have Moose here in NK.

[–]getsome13 1 point2 points ago

There are more and more sightings each year here in WI

[–]Krxe 1 point2 points ago

We have fuckloads of them in Maine, but then again Maine is basically Canada.

[–]Crys368 1 point2 points ago

We have lots of em in Sweden. This type of thing is probably the most sold item to tourists coming here. http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51qGyDMtM6L._SL500_SS500_.jpg

[–]Boonlink[S] 0 points1 point ago

That seems so bizarre since my entire life I've associated moose with Canada.

[–]Crys368 0 points1 point ago

Well, do you know anything about us, else than like, vikings? If you are from the US (forgive me if my assumption is wrong) I'm guessing Sweden isn't the country you'd know the most about, and definitely not at the same level as Canada. To be fair if it wasn't for my consumption of american media Canada wouldn't even be on my top 10 list of moose-countries.

[–]Boonlink[S] 0 points1 point ago

I'm Canadian and actually a 1/4 Swedish. I'm not proud of my ignorance.

[–]Kela3000 0 points1 point ago

Tourists like to steal these while they're here in Finland.

Also, these.

[–]KingShit_of_FuckMtn 0 points1 point ago

That moose looks like it's going to fuck someone up.

[–]bassCity 0 points1 point ago

And people shoot these majestic creatures..such a goddamn shame.

[–]Kasper- 8 points9 points ago

Yeah fuck cows though right? Comoooon

[–]whiskeydeltatango 3 points4 points ago

To be fair, in some areas they overpopulate, and if they were not hunted you'd have more starving moose. When they starve, they come into contact with humans, when that happens, people get hurt. The moose is not a friendly animal.

[–]ArniePalmys 2 points3 points ago

Yes they shoot them. Do some research on big game management. With lower populations, Big bulls breed too much and generate incestuous herds. Killing the big guy brings in new blood from the younger bulls. Plus they are delicious. The amount of money from their tags and licenses and all their equipment that has special taxes saves countless acres that if lost without funded groups would be way more detrimental to the herds than shooting a few. And hunters like these animals more than you do. And going with the cows comment by Kasper....If you're not a vegetarian and you hate hunters then you are pro slaughterhouse rather than true free range. The only free range is wild.

[–]Ancguy 0 points1 point ago

And, they're delicious!

[–]Ectosone -2 points-1 points ago

Dude. Do you even fountain?

[–]Ballantinez -1 points0 points ago

liquid metal cascading http://imgur.com/t6mDcOC