velvet
zoology
Quick Summary
elk shedding velvet
Elk (Cervus elaphus canadensis) shedding velvet.
In zoology, "velvet" refers to two distinct subjects:
- Deer Antlers: Velvet is the soft, vascular skin covering that nourishes developing deer antlers. This skin is rich in blood vessels and nerves and is shed once the antlers are fully grown, typically before the mating season. Antlers are shed and regrown annually, a process influenced by hormonal changes.123
- Velvet Worms: These are terrestrial invertebrates belonging to the phylum Onychophora. They are found in damp, dark habitats in the Southern Hemisphere and are characterized by their velvety skin and numerous pairs of short, thick legs. Velvet worms exhibit traits that resemble both arthropods and annelids.4
Additionally, "velvet ant" is the common name for wasps in the family Mutillidae, known for their fuzzy, antlike appearance.5
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