Animal Horns: Which Animals Have It, What It's Made Of And More!

It may sound obvious, but each animal's horn is different, not just in terms of shape.

A sheep would typically have keratin-covered horns with a bony core, while a giraffe would have ossicones which are covered in skin and hair!

All animals grow different kinds of horns and antlers and have different functions. While one animal horn may be called a pronghorn, another may be called an ossicone.

There are some fundamental differences between horns and antlers, and there are also a few types of horns as well! Keep reading to be able to differentiate a pronghorn from an ossicone the next time you spot some horned animals!

If you enjoy reading this article, why not also check out why do giraffes have horns and do cows have horns here at Kidadl!

What is the difference between antlers and horns?

It can get quite difficult to differentiate between horns and antlers since they look so similar to human eyes. However, there are some fundamental differences between these bony structures.

Antlers, as you may have seen in a deer or antelope, are made of bones and have a fuzzy, skin-like covering that helps in the circulation of blood and oxygen. Antlers are usually branched and create larger, complex structures. On the other hand, horns are covered with keratin.

You may recognize the substance keratin since it is the same material that human nails and hair are made of. Horns are usually not branched and have a symmetrical shape.

However, there is an exception to the rule when it comes to branching. A type of horns, called the pronghorn, does branch out. For this reason, pronghorns are not considered to be true horns.

There are more differences between antlers and horns. One such difference is that antlers only occur in members of the family Cervidae, which is the same family that reindeer, deer, and antelope belong to. On the other hand, only members of the family Bovidae have horns on their heads.

Such animals include goats, cows, and buffalos. Antlers are often covered in hair, as in the case of juveniles. However, such hair, called velvet, usually dies off.

Another feature that helps in distinguishing between horns and antlers is that while horns are permanent, and antlers are not. A deer species, for example, will typically grow a fresh set of antlers every year.

The fact that antlers are shed annually makes growing them one of the most important metabolic activities for an animal. Horns, however, are permanent and cannot be shed. If an animal's horns are cut off, it is most likely that its head will not develop a fresh set.

Horns and antlers are also different on the basis of their functions. While horned animal species such as sheep and goats use their keratinous horns for protection, fighting predators, digging, and marking their territory, antlers are used for attracting females.

Since the development of antlers shows that a member of these wildlife species is healthy and has perfect metabolism, females of the species usually get attracted for mating.

What is an animal horn made of?

Animal horns are made of a bony core. The outer covering of each horn is made up of keratin.

This gives goat horns or sheep horns the sheen that we often observe. Since a pair of horns are likely to stay with the animal for as long as it lives, it is obvious that these growths must be strong and attached to the skull.

Hence, their bony nature ensures that horns are a part of the animal's skull and cannot be damaged easily.

Do females have horns?

While it is common for only male members of the family Bovidae to have horns, it is not uncommon for a female of the species to have a pair of horns as well.

These bony growths are usually an adaptation created on an animal's head as a response to its environment. Scientists estimate that endangered species of the Bovidae family started to grow horns in order to defend themselves.

Hence, since even a female member of the Bovidae species requires protection, she will have a pair of horns as well!

Are horns extensions of bones?

While antlers only have a bony core, horns are said to be extensions of the bones. This is why animal species use their horns for extensive fights without the fear that their horns will get detached from their skull.

Being an extension of bones also means that a horn cannot be grown again once it is somehow shed or cut off!

What purpose do horns serve?

Animals such as goats, sheep, and cows use their true horns when predators are in view. It has been observed that both males and females who have a great length of horns tend to use them as a sheath to protect themselves. True horns, pronghorns, and even antlers can save an animal's life from predatory animals.

Horned animals also use their pronghorns, ossicones, or true horns for digging and fighting. It is for the same reason that these animals sharpen their horns against trees.

A goat or a sheep can also use each horn as a tool for cooling its body. On the other hand, a deer with antlers covered in velvet or tiny hair-like structures will be able to use them as a sheath as well as a method of attracting mates.

The Ethics Of Humans Cutting Animal Horns

We are well aware that cutting off horns is illegal in most cases. Since a bony core is consistent in horns, antlers, ossicones, pronghorn, and true horns, cutting them off of the body of a sheep, goat, giraffe, rhino, or deer will be extremely painful for the animal.

The core of these structures also grows nerve endings, making cutting them off among the most heinous crimes against wildlife.

Rhinos, as well as some goats and sheep, are deprived of their horns and are given a lot of pain by human beings just because of their monetary value.

Not only is it illegal and punishable by law in many parts of the world to cut off rhino horns, but it has often also proven to be dangerously fatal for the animal.

The rules regarding the handling of wildlife, therefore, must always be followed meticulously.

The only animal whose horns can be trimmed off annually is a rhino. There is evidence that a rhino may actually benefit from it and grow more keratin-covered horn material by the end of 18 months!

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 'Animal horns', then why not take a look at 'When do whitetail deer shed their antlers?' or 'Do does have antlers'?