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Why are male antlers and horns so large?

03-16-2007 · EurekAlert!

Since Darwin, researchers have supposed that the large size of male ungulate antlers and horns is a signal that this is a male with sexual vigor, health, strength, hierarchical status or the ability to fight. Research in male roe deer showed that the size of the antlers did match age and body mass and resilience to environmental conditions.

Keywords: male, antlers, horns, large, antler, horn

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