What is the Difference Between Horn and Antler?

The main differences between horns and antlers are their composition, growth patterns, and function. Here are the key distinctions:

1. Composition: Antlers are made entirely from bone and are shed annually. Horns, on the other hand, have a bony core covered by a keratin sheath (the same material found in human fingernails). They are permanent and usually grow throughout the animal's life.
2. Growth: Antlers grow as an extension of the animal's skull and are true bone. They are shed and regrown yearly. Horns, however, are never shed and continue to grow throughout the animal's life. The only exception is the pronghorn, which sheds and regrows its horn sheath each year.
3. Function: Antlers are mainly used for mate selection during the breeding season, either to attract females or to compete with other males. Horns are generally used for social dominance, territoriality, and anti-predator interactions.
4. Distribution: Antlers are found in the Cervidae family, which includes deer and their relatives. Horns are found on pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and bison. Antlers are usually only present for a few months before being shed, and apart from reindeer, they only occur in males. Horns are more likely to be a unisex accessory.

In summary, antlers are branched bony structures that are shed and regrown annually, while horns are permanent, unbranched structures made of a bony core and keratin sheath that continue to grow throughout an animal's life.

Comparative Table: Horn vs Antler

Here is a table highlighting the differences between horns and antlers:

Horns and antlers serve different purposes, grow differently, and are found in different animals. They also have distinct shapes and structures, with horns being permanent and unbranched, and antlers being temporary and branched.