In the
reading passage, there is ample support for the author’s claim that the
male deer’s antlers’ functions of male deer are attracting
mates, marking a territory, and protecting themselves from attackers. However,
the professor gives several reasons as a rebuttal to the author’s point.
First, the
professor insists that antlers are not a key factor in helping males attract a
mate. He argues that male deer typically use a variety of methods to lure
females such as vocalization and body posture. Besides, studies have found that
females often select males with small antlers to mate with, even if males with
more impressive antlers are available. This casts doubt on the reading
passage’s claim that antlers are used for attracting mates. (good!)
Second,
the professor contends that it does not appear that antlers are used to mark a
territory. According to him, deer mark their territory with scent, not visual
markings. They rub strong-smelling secretions from various glands onto trees
and bushes. These scents can be detected by other males easily. Moreover, the
reason a deer rubs his antlers on a tree is to remove the antlers’ soft outer
skin which begins to fall off in the autumn. This counters the reading
passage’s assertion that marking a territory is one of the functions of
antlers.
Lastly, the professor argues that
antlers do not have a significant defensive function. This is because antlers
are shed in the winter when deer are weaker and thus in greater need of
protection. If antlers are used primarily for defense, deer would keep them
year-around. Plus, female deer raise their offspring without the assistance of
males. Thus, they must protect their young from predators. Yet, the majority of
female deer do not possess antlers, which indicates that antlers are not a
defensive measure against attackers. This refutes the reading passage’s
suggestion that deer protect themselves with their antlers.