The number of branches, or "points" on a set of antlers can be used to indicate an individual's age and/or social status.

Antlers and horns are two kinds of ornamentation present on the front of the heads of mammals. Antlers consist of pure bone tissue and are shed and regrown annually, whereas horns consist of a bony knob and an exterior horn sheath and typically grow throughout life. Both structures were first seen in fossils from about 25 million years ago. Most even-toed ungulates (Artiodactyla) have head ornaments, such as deer, reindeer (antlers), antelopes, oxen, cows, and giraffes (horns). Some odd-toed ungulates (Perissodactyla), such as rhinoceroses, have horns. In most species, only males have antlers, but both females and males can have horns.

Antlers stem from the upper part of the frontal bone processes, called burrs. They grow by the accumulation of a cartilage...