SNAPPED: Velvet-Crowned Visitor

A bull moose sporting velvet-covered antlers pauses in a local yard in July Photo: @azplusm

During the summer months moose antlers can grow as much as an inch per day.

PARK CITY, Utah — A majestic bull moose, crowned with velvet-covered antlers, was seen standing near a home in a local neighborhood this July — offering locals a rare and striking glimpse into a key phase of moose biology: the antler growth cycle. This picture was captured by @azplusm, have a photo or video you want to share with the community? Send it to tips@townlift.com for a chance to be featured.

Each year, bull moose grow and shed their antlers, with the process beginning in early spring. The antlers start as soft cartilage and are covered in a fuzzy, vascular tissue known as velvet, which supplies oxygen and nutrients to support rapid growth. During the summer months, the antlers can grow as much as an inch per day.

By late summer or early fall, the antlers harden and the velvet dries up. At that point, moose scrape their antlers against trees to shed the velvet, often leaving it hanging in tatters. These now-bare antlers are used for sparring and dominance displays during the fall rutting season. Come winter, after mating season, moose shed their antlers entirely, starting the cycle anew the following spring.

The moose in the photo is in the peak of this velvet phase, signaling that he’s in the thick of summer growth. While sightings like this are memorable, wildlife experts urge caution and respect.

Moose Safety Tips from Wild Aware Utah:

• Keep your distance. Moose are wild and can be aggressive if approached.
• Stay especially cautious around moose with velvet antlers — they may be more sensitive during this period.
• Leash your dogs and never let them interact with moose.
• Do not feed or attempt to touch moose.
• If a moose charges: Run and put something large — like a tree or vehicle — between you and the animal.