How does the Staghorn grow?

Answer 1

This answer assumes that by "staghorn" you mean the antlers of a deer, stag, moose, elk, or caribou, all members of the "deer" family. Deer grow antlers, not true horns like cows. Horns are hollow, and are made of keratin, which is the same substance of which our fingernails are made. Antlers, however, are made of bone. Antlers occur primarily on male animals, but also occur on some females, such as the caribou. The growth of the antler bone is triggered by the length of time there is sunlight in the day. Antler growth is also greatly affected by the animals age, its inherited genetic traits, and by its nutrition. The antlers you see on deer, stags, moose, elk, and caribou are grown and shed all within one year! This is so amazing that scientists have studied antler growth in an effort to learn why some cancers grow so fast.