Horn (anatomy)
A
horn is a hollow, pointed projection of the
skin of various
animals., consisting mainly of
keratin as well as other
proteins. True horns are found only among the
ruminant artiodactyls, in the families
Antilocapridae (
pronghorn) and
Bovidae (
cows,
buffalo,
yaks,
goats,
antelope etc.). Those animals have one or two pairs of horns, which usually have a
spiral shape.
The term is popularly applied also to any hard and pointed elements attached to the head of animals in various other families:
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Giraffidae:
Giraffes have bony bumps covered with furred skin which look like they ought to have horns on them, but do not.
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Cervidae: Deer have antlers, which are not true horns. Made of
bone, they are shed and regrown each year.
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Rhinocerotidae: The "horns" of the
Rhinoceros are made of keratin but are actually compacted
hair, not true horn.
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Ceratopsidae: The "horns" of the
Triceratops were extensions of its skull bones although debate exists over whether they had a keratin covering.
Many animal species in various families have
tusks, which often serve the same functions as true horns, but are in fact oversize teeth. These include the
Moschidae (Musk deer, which are ruminants),
Suidae (
Wild Boars),
Proboscidea (
Elephants),
Monodontidae (
Narwhals) and
Odobenidae (
Walruses).
Wildlife have a variety of uses for horns and antlers, including fighting members of their own species for territory, dominance and
mating priority. It is said that certain species can be singled out as being homosexual. While this is not taken seriously, and more of an old spanish wive's tale, there have been cases where two rams will try to mate based on confusing from their own horns. In addition, horns may be used to root in the soil or strip bark from trees. In animal
courtship there are specific species that use horns in displays of attraction. For example, the
Blue Wildebeest reams the bark and branches of trees to impress the female and lure her into his
territory. Horns are also used by some animals with true horns to provide cooling. Since horns are an extension of the skin, they have blood vessels in them, allowing the horns to function as a
radiator to cool the blood.
Use of animal horns is controversial, especially if the animal was specifically hunted for the horn as a
trophy or object of decoration or utility. Some animals are threatened or endangered to reduced populations partially from pressures of such hunting.
Some peoples use bovid horns as
musical instruments, for example the
shofar. These have evolved into
brass instruments in which, unlike the
trumpet, the bore gradually increases in width through most of its length — that is to say, it is
conical rather than
cylindrical. These are called
horns, though made of
metal.
Drinking horns are bovid horns cleaned and polished and used as
drinking vessels.
Powder horns were originally bovid horns fitted with lids and carrying straps, used to carry
gunpowder. Powder flasks of any material may be referred to as powder horns.
Horn can also refer to
keratin, the material of which a horn is made. This is most common when a horn is used as a material in tools, furniture, decoration, and other uses. In these applications, horn is valued for its hardness, and has given rise to the expression
hard as horn."Horn"
buttons are usually made from deer antlers, not true horn.
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horn (disambiguation page)
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horn (instrument)*
horned helmet
