What characteristic separates the Family Cervidae from bovids like cattle?
Answer
Cervid males possess deciduous antlers shed and regrown annually.
The Family Cervidae, the true deer family, is defined by the males, known as bucks, possessing antlers that are deciduous. This means they are shed completely each year and regrown in a process that is metabolically demanding and linked to hormonal cycles. This cyclical nature sharply contrasts with the horns found on bovids (like cattle and sheep), whose keratin sheaths remain permanent structures throughout the animal's life.
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