Horn/Bone

[opuntia]

Rhino horns are made up of closely packed hairs [which is a form of keratin]..is this the major difference between horns and bones?

[mith]

Well yes, bone is made of calcium carbonate and keratin is a protein.

[Jelanen]

not to sidetrack this, but what is interesting and usually not widely known to the general public...the difference between antlers and horns.

and yes, I know the difference...

-Jelanen

[victor]

I think that antlers are paired and horn is single..he2..what is it according to you?I'm curious also..

[mith]

Single horn? How about bulls, rams, goats?

[Zachthemac]

Rhino horns aren't "true" horns, because like you said, they are made of compacted hair. True horns are made of keratin, like those of bulls and goats. Antlers are bony protrusions that don't contain keratin. Also deer shed their antlers yearly.

[tlj]

Goats (and some other horned animals) use their horns for heat regulation, (as they have capillaries that run throughout the horn) therefore if you cut off a goats horns will that prevent it from controlling its body heat?

[Chris103]

I think the main difference between the two is that Antlers are shed from time to time and only have a blood supply while they are growing. Horns are never shed and have a constant supply of blood to the center. The outter layer is made up of keretin the same stuff that makes up hair and fingernails While antlers are essentially bone.

A few exceptions to the rule: Rhino's have NO bony core in the center or their "horn". It is %100 Keratin. Also, true horns do not branch but the American Pronghorn Atelope has forked horns that consist of a keratin sheath and a bony core....sounds like a horn right? BUT they shed them once a year. I think we may need some new terms for several species!