Antelopes, a diverse group of hoofed mammals, generally do not shed their horns. Unlike antlers, which are temporary structures, horns are permanent growths that remain on the animal throughout its life. This fundamental difference means that true antelopes, such as kudus, wildebeest, and oryxes, retain their horns year after year. The North American pronghorn is a notable exception, possessing unique headgear that partially sheds.
The Nature of Horns
Horns are structures composed of a bony core covered by a layer of keratin. The internal bony core extends directly from the animal’s frontal bone of the skull, providing a rigid foundation. Encasing this bone is a sheath made of keratin, which gives the horn its visible shape and texture.
Horns begin to develop shortly after an animal’s birth and continue to grow continuously throughout its lifespan. This growth occurs from the base, where the horn meets the skull, with new layers of keratin being deposited over time. Once a horn is broken, it does not regenerate, meaning any damage sustained will remain with the animal for the rest of its life.
Distinguishing Horns from Antlers
The primary distinction between horns and antlers lies in their composition, growth patterns, and whether they are shed. Antlers are made entirely of bone and are typically branched structures that grow from bony protrusions on the skull called pedicels. In contrast, horns are unbranched, two-part structures featuring a bony core permanently covered by a keratin sheath.
Antlers undergo an annual cycle of growth and shedding. They grow rapidly each year, sometimes as much as an inch per day for large species like elk, and are covered in a soft, vascular skin known as “velvet” during this period. Once fully developed, the velvet dries and is rubbed off, revealing the hardened bone underneath. Antlers are then shed, usually in late winter or early spring, only to be regrown for the next breeding season.
Horns, conversely, are permanent fixtures that are never shed. They grow continuously from the base and are present year-round. A notable exception is the pronghorn, which is not a true antelope but sheds the keratinous outer sheath of its horns annually, while the bony core remains attached.
Animals That Possess Horns or Antlers
Many animals across various families possess either horns or antlers. Animals with true horns belong primarily to the Bovidae family, which includes cattle, goats, sheep, and most antelope species. Examples of horned antelopes include the greater kudu with its spiral horns, the curved horns of the blue wildebeest, and the long, straight horns of the oryx. Other horned animals include bison, bighorn sheep, and various species of ibex.
Animals that grow antlers are members of the Cervidae family, commonly known as deer. This group includes well-known species such as white-tailed deer, elk, moose, and reindeer (also known as caribou). While antlers are predominantly found on males, female reindeer are a unique exception, as they also grow antlers, though typically smaller than those of males. The size and complexity of antlers often increase with the animal’s age and health, reflecting their role in display and competition during the breeding season.