Shed Coloring

[Serpentine]

Is it possible that a deers antler can change color over a few years? I found one shed that was ivory the other is dark chestnut.  Same buck.

 

 

 

[Serpentine]

One shed in found 2019 the other 2022.  Mature buck.

Edited June 11, 2022 by Serpentine

[Rusty]

The amount of bleaching due to sun exposure will change the color.   

[Serpentine]

Thanks Rusty - but the ivory colored was a fresh drop. The Chestnut at least 5 months old.  I could be wrong the ivory was cast on the top of ridge exposed, the chestnut under a ledge no sun. But the ivory has not been touched by critters, the chestnut has been gnawed down by critters. 

That is the dilemma. 

Edited June 11, 2022 by Serpentine

[Rusty]

Just now, Serpentine said:

Thanks Rusty - but the ivory colored was a fresh drop. The Chestnut at least 5 months old.  

Where were they laying?   Under leaves, shade, mud  .   .    .    

[Rusty]

BTW

[Serpentine]

pic.  The chestnut has more mass and an extra point so it makes sense the buck was 2 years older when cast. 

Edited June 11, 2022 by Serpentine
define

[Serpentine]

[Rusty]

Nice buck!!    

[Nomad]

Yes, it's possible and nobody knows why.   I lot of guesses from sun, rubbing on pine, blood from velvet, genetics, age, etc. etc..

Edited June 11, 2022 by Nomad

[Buck154]

All depends on where they dropped. In the sun, shade, wet area.

[Rusty]

10 hours ago, Buck154 said:

All depends on where they dropped. In the sun, shade, wet area.

I agree, the darker one looks stained.  That is most likely a result of what it was laying in after it dropped.  

[Serpentine]

Thank guys. 

donassume a shed is from a different buck just because color is different

[Nomad]

14 hours ago, Buck154 said:

All depends on where they dropped. In the sun, shade, wet area.

 

4 hours ago, Rusty said:

I agree, the darker one looks stained.  That is most likely a result of what it was laying in after it dropped.  

Maybe, or it could have been stained before it dropped.

[Serpentine]

I filled in missing bone on the right side to match the other and  stuck them on a plastc skull plate to see how they look. Color match is way off.

 

Edited January 20 by Serpentine