Sharon Bessette, aged 14, of Seattle, Wash, for her question!

How often does an elk shed its horns?

The beautiful elk is second largest of the deer clan. But no deer grows a more beautiful pair of antlers, The Wapiti, as the Indians called him, wears his complete crown by mid August. Two huge branches, wearing six spikes apiece, adorn his proud head.

Antlers are grown only by the male wapiti. He grows and sheds a complete set each year. In August he is in fighting prime, ready to do battle for his mate. He sheds his handsome fighting weapons early in the new year.

By next March, a new set of antlers have started to sprout. The growing antlers are covered with skin and hair. The stag becomes weak and thin during this growing season. Such a large and fast growth takes a good deal from his body nourishment. What's more, his young antlers are tender and sensitive. During this season he is shy and tends to avoid trouble.

By early August, the spreading branches are complete. The skin and hair peel away leaving hard, dry antlers. The antlers of the elk are said to be deciduous. Like the leaves of the deciduous trees, they are shed once each year.