Deer Velvet? - 12/18/05 04:24 PM
Inquiry: Is there a verb and/or noun for the action by male deer, when their antlers are almost grown, to rub their antlers against trees in order to rub off the gelatinous covering known as "velvet"??
Re: Deer Velvet? - 12/18/05 07:09 PM
Hello lovetodance, and welcome to the board. I did a little googling and this is what I came up with:
Antlers are a tissue that develops under the "velvet", a soft skin-like protective covering. Since they are one of the fastest growing things on the planet, right up there with the science projects in my refrigerator and the elephant grass in my yard, they need a covering that is elastic. Nowhere did I read that it was gelatinous. When the deer enter the pre-rut season, rising testosterone levels harden the tissue and the velvet is no longer required to feed and protect the antlers and so it dries up and is sloughed off. This is an irritant (think itchy scabs) that prompts the deer to rub their antlers against trees and such to rid themselves of the irritant and also is part of the process of marking their territory for mating purposes. The terms I ran across for this are "rub" and "scrape". If you were looking for words that sound a little more edumacated, consider these two:
From thefreedictionary.com
Noun 1. detrition - erosion by friction
2. detrition - the wearing down of rock particles by friction due to water or wind or ice
3. detrition - effort expended in rubbing one object against another
or
Noun 1. decortication - removal of the outer covering of an organ or part
Antlers are a tissue that develops under the "velvet", a soft skin-like protective covering. Since they are one of the fastest growing things on the planet, right up there with the science projects in my refrigerator and the elephant grass in my yard, they need a covering that is elastic. Nowhere did I read that it was gelatinous. When the deer enter the pre-rut season, rising testosterone levels harden the tissue and the velvet is no longer required to feed and protect the antlers and so it dries up and is sloughed off. This is an irritant (think itchy scabs) that prompts the deer to rub their antlers against trees and such to rid themselves of the irritant and also is part of the process of marking their territory for mating purposes. The terms I ran across for this are "rub" and "scrape". If you were looking for words that sound a little more edumacated, consider these two:
From thefreedictionary.com
Noun 1. detrition - erosion by friction
2. detrition - the wearing down of rock particles by friction due to water or wind or ice
3. detrition - effort expended in rubbing one object against another
or
Noun 1. decortication - removal of the outer covering of an organ or part
Re: Deer Velvet? - 12/19/05 02:34 AM
Per my deer-hunting husband: rub is what they do against trees; scrape is what they do against the ground. They rub the velvet off because it begins to itch. To mark territory, they rub the gland on the top of their head against a branch (presumably so the other bucks will know how big and bad they are), and scrape a patch of dirt with their hooves, then urinate on it.
Re: Deer Velvet? - 12/19/05 03:07 AM
Well, that's kinda what I understood, too, but figured the rubbing of the velvet was more like a little pre-rut practice. It prolly even gets the secretions in the head gland started.
It always works for me, dear
[leaning out the window, whistling "Begin the Beguine"]
It always works for me, dear
[leaning out the window, whistling "Begin the Beguine"]
Re: Deer Velvet? - 12/19/05 08:18 AM
because it begins to itch
On second thought, I wonder how they found out that deer are capable of feeling the itch? Just because it is a relatively elementary feeling (but different from pain), we tacitly project in on these animals? Is Consciousness necessary for feeling (and reacting to) an itching?
On second thought, I wonder how they found out that deer are capable of feeling the itch? Just because it is a relatively elementary feeling (but different from pain), we tacitly project in on these animals? Is Consciousness necessary for feeling (and reacting to) an itching?
Re: Deer Velvet? - 12/19/05 11:45 AM
Quote:
lovetodance
Worst. Username. Ever.
Re: Deer Velvet? - 12/19/05 12:14 PM
Saw this in today's paper. A guy in Iowa was dressing out a 14-point deer he had shot and discovered it was a doe! The Iowa Department of Natural Resources said this was uncommon but not unheard of. The did say this was a very large rack for such a deer (DO NOT GO THERE!!!) so they are checking to see whether it's a world record for a doe.
Re: Deer Velvet? - 12/19/05 12:24 PM
Quote:
Is Consciousness necessary for feeling (and reacting to) an itching?
Dogs scratch fleas, cats do too. Pigs, horses and cows rub up against whatever's handy when they have an itch to scratch. Or am I just projecting?
Empathy Redux - 12/19/05 02:13 PM
Quote:
because it begins to itch
On second thought, I wonder how they found out that deer are capable of feeling the itch? Just because it is a relatively elementary feeling (but different from pain), we tacitly project in on these animals? Is Consciousness necessary for feeling (and reacting to) an itching?
Define "consciousness."
Re: Empathy Redux - 12/19/05 06:41 PM
Define "consciousness."
Ha, of course someone had to come up with that
, I tried to provoke the acknowledgement that consciousness comprises such lowly things as itches - and animals have it..
The alternative would be a "reflex" (like the knee-jerk reflex), but that would be a rather involved reflex, seeking out an object to rub against!
Ha, of course someone had to come up with that
, I tried to provoke the acknowledgement that consciousness comprises such lowly things as itches - and animals have it.. The alternative would be a "reflex" (like the knee-jerk reflex), but that would be a rather involved reflex, seeking out an object to rub against!
Something compelled me - 12/19/05 07:07 PM
Sponsored by:
Goin' for a Big Rack?
Hottest deer scent technology- unrivaled broadcast area and rate.
www.buckbomb.com
Wireless Deer Fence
Guaranteed deer training system Protects yards & gardens from deer
www.wirelessdeerfence.com
Ads By Google
Goin' for a Big Rack?
Hottest deer scent technology- unrivaled broadcast area and rate.
www.buckbomb.com
Wireless Deer Fence
Guaranteed deer training system Protects yards & gardens from deer
www.wirelessdeerfence.com
Ads By Google
Re: Deer Velvet? - 12/19/05 07:41 PM
"lovetodance"
"Worst. Username. Ever."
No. Not even close.
Re: Deer Velvet? - 12/19/05 08:03 PM
What's wrong with the name "lovetodance"? I love to dance, too! We're not going to get many new folks around here if we don't play nice ya know.
Re: Empathy Redux - 12/19/05 08:33 PM
If you scratch an itch when you are asleep are you conscious when you sleep?
If you scratch an itch while in deep thought and didn't know that you were scratching an itch when you scratched it, and didn't remember scratching the itch afterwards, who then, scratched the itch.
Are we only conscious of that which we are focused upon and unconscious of the rest of everything around us so that even when we are awake we could be said to be only narrowly conscious?
When a tobacco plant's leaves are nibbled upon by hookworms,(much like an itch) the plant begins to manufacture alkaloids in its roots in order to rush bitter nicotine to the tobacco leaves above to poison the wormy invaders.
But plants are notoriously slow, so this takes ten days, but hey, how did the tobacco plant know when to increase the nicotine in the leaves to make the leaves toxic?
Are tobacco plants conscious?
If you scratch an itch while in deep thought and didn't know that you were scratching an itch when you scratched it, and didn't remember scratching the itch afterwards, who then, scratched the itch.
Are we only conscious of that which we are focused upon and unconscious of the rest of everything around us so that even when we are awake we could be said to be only narrowly conscious?
When a tobacco plant's leaves are nibbled upon by hookworms,(much like an itch) the plant begins to manufacture alkaloids in its roots in order to rush bitter nicotine to the tobacco leaves above to poison the wormy invaders.
But plants are notoriously slow, so this takes ten days, but hey, how did the tobacco plant know when to increase the nicotine in the leaves to make the leaves toxic?
Are tobacco plants conscious?
Re: Deer Velvet? - 12/20/05 04:26 AM
I am the original poster of this inquiry. Thanks particularly to Consuelo, whose reply was sufficient for my curiosity. There seems to be no word that is specific to the deer-velvet-rubbing. I now leave this subject to those of you who are rubbing your conscious itches.
PS: In general reply to numerous private messages I have rec'd: Thank you for your kind words; I enjoy Latin, Swing, and Smooth dancing as a hobby; and I am heterosexual.
PS: In general reply to numerous private messages I have rec'd: Thank you for your kind words; I enjoy Latin, Swing, and Smooth dancing as a hobby; and I am heterosexual.
Re: Deer Velvet? - 12/20/05 05:27 AM
As I have posted elsewhere on this board...
"Dancing is a vertical expression of horizontal desire."
I prefer the horizontal...
Loveto...
"Dancing is a vertical expression of horizontal desire."
I prefer the horizontal...
Loveto...
Re: Deer Velvet? - 12/20/05 12:04 PM
Quote:
I now leave this subject to those of you who are rubbing your conscious itches.
Stick around, ltd. And ignore Homo Loquens -- he's our bad apple. Every public message board has one.
Re: Deer Velvet? - 12/20/05 12:10 PM
Quote:
There seems to be no word that is specific to the deer-velvet-rubbing.
You know, ltd, it seems to me that there really IS a word for that. It's, well, itching at the back of my mind and I can't bring it forward or figure out where I learned it. But I'm workin' on it.
And I second AnnaS - stay around.
Amen, RM - but vertical is fun, too, and you can do it in public.
Re: Deer Velvet? - 12/20/05 12:25 PM
Yes, LtD, please feel welcomed.
Good luck with that itch Elizabeth. I've found it very difficult to apply calamine to my own frequent synaptic itches.
WishICouldanceBetter, AKA: Owlbow
(now I can't scratch the song, "Why Don't We Do it in the Road" out of my mind)
Good luck with that itch Elizabeth. I've found it very difficult to apply calamine to my own frequent synaptic itches.
WishICouldanceBetter, AKA: Owlbow
(now I can't scratch the song, "Why Don't We Do it in the Road" out of my mind)
Re: Deer Velvet? - 12/20/05 12:52 PM
(try substituting Dancing in the Street, mebbe...?) oh, hang on, wrong thread. 
Blue Velvet - 12/20/05 02:31 PM
I've been called wrong-threaded before. (Those guys on the song thread are way too quick and clever for me anyway.)
Dancing in the Street was the very first 45 that I bought with my newspaper route money. Oh Martha!
Thanks for the redirection Mav, my brain doesn't itch so much now.
Dancing in the Street was the very first 45 that I bought with my newspaper route money. Oh Martha!
Thanks for the redirection Mav, my brain doesn't itch so much now.
Re: Blue Velvet - 12/27/05 02:27 AM
my deer consultant says they are just scratching an itch!! getting the velvet off so the new growth of antlers can harden.
Re: Blue Velvet - 12/28/05 07:56 PM
Hey LtD if you're ever on the West Coast send me a PM. Always glad to meet another addict.
Re: Blue Velvet - 12/28/05 08:08 PM
And Zed, it's good to see you back here in the cyber village!
Implied Leghorn - 12/28/05 08:54 PM
Loveto...
It's a chicken, son! I say! It's a chicken!
It's a chicken, son! I say! It's a chicken!
Re: Blue Velvet - 12/28/05 10:19 PM
> Zed, it's good to see you back
Second that!
Second that!
Re: Blue Velvet - 12/28/05 11:31 PM
Cheers all
Life got a little busy at work and with no access at home...
PS I started a new job, work is fun again!!!
Life got a little busy at work and with no access at home...
PS I started a new job, work is fun again!!!
Re: Blue Velvet - 12/29/05 01:23 AM
Dear Z ~
Those of us on the Left Coast need to keep our numbers up lest we be overrun by the Eastern Horde.
Those of us on the Left Coast need to keep our numbers up lest we be overrun by the Eastern Horde.