Differences between Antelope and Deer

Antelope vs. Deer

Antelope and deer are herbivorous mammals that belong to the order Artiodactyla, also known as even-toed ungulates. While they share some similarities in appearance and occupy comparable ecological niches, they belong to different biological families and exhibit several key distinctions. Antelopes are part of the Bovidae family, which also includes cattle, goats, and sheep, whereas deer belong to the Cervidae family. This familial difference is the basis for their most significant variations.

One of the most prominent differences lies in their headgear. Male deer grow antlers, which are bony structures that are shed and regrown annually. Antlers are typically branched and are covered in a vascularized skin known as velvet during their growth phase. In contrast, antelopes possess horns, which are permanent, unbranched structures consisting of a bony core covered by a keratin sheath. Horns grow continuously throughout the animal's life and are never shed. While antlers are generally exclusive to male deer (with the exception of reindeer), horns are often found on both male and female antelopes.

Geographic distribution also sets the two groups apart. Antelope species are primarily native to Africa and parts of Asia and the Middle East. Deer have a much wider natural range, found on every continent except for Australia and Antarctica. Africa has only one native deer species, the Barbary red deer.

Comparison Table

Category	Antelope	Deer
Scientific Family	Bovidae	Cervidae
Head Ornamentation	Horns (permanent, unbranched keratin sheath over a bone core)	Antlers (bone structures that are shed and regrown annually, typically branched)
Presence of Headgear	Found in males and, in many species, females as well	Generally found only in males (exception: reindeer/caribou)
Geographic Distribution	Primarily Africa and parts of Asia	Native to North America, South America, Europe, and Asia
Structure	Unbranched horns	Branched antlers in most species
Life Cycle of Headgear	Permanent and grow throughout life	Shed and regrown each year

Venn diagram comparing Differences between Antelope and Deer

Horns and Antlers in Detail

The fundamental difference between horns and antlers stems from their composition and life cycle. Horns, found on bovids like antelope, consist of a bony core that is a direct extension of the skull's frontal bone. This core is covered by a sheath of keratin, the same protein found in human fingernails. Horns are never shed and continue to grow from the base throughout the animal's life.

Antlers, characteristic of the deer family (cervids), are composed entirely of bone. They grow from attachment points on the skull called pedicles. Each year, deer go through a cycle of shedding their old antlers and growing a new, often larger and more complex, set. During the growth period, the antlers are covered in velvet, a layer of skin rich with blood vessels and nerves that supplies nutrients to the rapidly growing bone. Once the antler is fully grown, the velvet is rubbed off. This annual cycle is tied to the mating season, with antlers primarily used for display and in combat with other males.