Wildlife experts in Oregon are baffled by a rare phenomenon: a deer with antlers growing out of the side of its head. The buck, observed in the Philomath area, sports a typical set of antlers on top of its head but also has an additional, smaller antler protruding from the side of its head near its ear.
Biologists from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) captured the deer to examine the unusual growth. Initial findings suggest the atypical antler might be linked to an injury sustained earlier in the deer’s life. It’s hypothesized that damage to the pedicle, the base from which antlers grow, could have caused this aberrant growth pattern.
While the precise cause remains unclear pending further analysis, the ODFW emphasizes that this type of antler development is extremely uncommon. They plan to monitor the deer’s health and well-being. The experts suspect trauma or potential genetic abnormality caused it. The extra antler doesn’t seem to cause harm to the animal as the animal appears to be healthy.
find the original article here: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/wildlife-experts-stunned-examining-unusual-060000615.html