Why do female caribou have antlers unlike other female deer?

What makes female caribou so special? Watch this video for more details. Image via Ronan Hello/ Unsplash.

For decades, biologists have debated the purpose of antlers in female caribou. Males in many deer species grow antlers to compete for mates, but only in the caribou species do we see females with antlers. On February 24, 2026, a new study said these antlers serve as a crucial source of nutrition, especially for mothers with newborn calves.

Each year, pregnant females complete...