Are the elongated, visible canine teeth of the water deer buck bone structures grown annually?
Answer
No, they are modified upper canine teeth.
The distinctive tusks found in the male Chinese water deer are not antlers, which are structures composed of bone that are grown and shed on an annual cycle. Instead, these impressive, downward-pointing tusks are derived from the modification of the upper canine teeth. They are permanent structures, unlike antlers, and can achieve considerable lengths, sometimes exceeding 5 centimeters (2 inches) in mature males. This dental modification serves as a fixed, direct weapon, contrasting sharply with the seasonal, regrowth-intensive nature of traditional cervid antlers, illustrating a divergent evolutionary path favoring continuous weaponry over temporary displays.
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