Probably. Mature antlers are dead tissue. They only even have a blood supply while they're growing (while they are covered in "velvet"). That's part of why they need to be regrown each year, and a big difference between antlers and horns.
Probably. Mature antlers are dead tissue. They only even have a blood supply while they're growing (while they are covered in "velvet"). That's part of why they need to be regrown each year, and a big difference between antlers and horns.
Pretty close analogy, actually. Fingernails are closer to horns; there's living tissue supporting the growth of the non-living tissue- which, like a fingernail, is keratin- and thus, they do not need to be completely replaced. In contrast, a mature antler is just dead bone.
Edit: Which is why this probably SHOULD be uncommon stimulation. Cervids will rub their antlers on things, but it's not because it feels good.
RubbyDubbyOooh, Moosey, that's another year in a row that you've grown such lovely antlers!The Cervidae family's antlers are erogenous zones. They rub them against trees and the ground as a method to practice vigorous masturbation.
