Question

What is a horn, and how is it formed?

Answer 1

These are found in herbivores and are often confused with something called Antler.
Humans have hunted animals in the past to collect these structures, but it is being controlled these days due to critical damage to the species population.

Complete answer:
Horns are permanent projections on an animal’s head. It may or may not be pointed. They start growing from the moment the animal is born and it continues to grow throughout its life. They are found in ruminant artiodactyls or even-toed ungulates or hoofed animals. They are also found in the Antilocapridae family which are close relatives of giraffes and antelopes. Horns are most commonly seen in the Bovidae family that includes all the cattle, i.e. cow, buffalo, goat etc.

Horns are formed by the outgrowth of a bone or two in the head. The bone gets covered by layers of keratin and other fibrous proteins which give the horn its appearance. In giraffes the horns are also covered with skin and hair.

The horns are of great importance for these animals. As we know these animals are herbivores, they do not have sharp canines to attack other animals. Hence, they have horns for this purpose. They use horns to defend themselves from other species, fight with the same species for dominance over territory or mating priority.
Animals that are herbivore and also do not have horns, have a modification of the teeth for this purpose. They are called tusks and are found in elephants, wild hogs etc.

Note:

1. Horns are often confused with another similar structure called Antlers.
2. Horns are permanent structures but antlers shed every year and then regrow.
3. Horns are found on both males and females of a species. Antlers are found only in the males of the species.