Top 10 Best Horns & Antlers in the Animal World
In our list of top 10 best horns, we have included both horns and antlers. Every living being of different size and shape use their parts of the body for various purposes. Horns and antlers can be found in many species of animals, especially in males. They use their Horns and antlers to defend against predators and rivals and to attract females. Horns are a permanent and branchless extension of the skull of animals and stay with the animal for life and Antlers are branched part made of dead bone and are shed and regrown again every year. Take a look at the animals which have horns or antlers, which can be one of the most powerful weapons against predators and enemies. Here the list of top 10 best horns in the animal world in 2018.
10. Jackson’s Chameleon
Surprised? Well, Jackson’s Chameleon or Kikuyu three-horned chameleon is a species of chameleon native to East Africa, can be found on islands of Hawaii, Florida, and California also. They are found in forests and woodlands which are situated at higher altitudes. These green colored animals change their color depending on the temperature and mood like many other chameleon families. Generally, they live in forests and woodlands which are located at higher altitudes. Only the male chameleons of these species have three horns of brown color on their nose. They use their horns to compete against rival males during breeding season.
9. Addax
Addax or the white antelope or the screw-horn antelope is white endangered antelopes that inhabit in Sahara desert. Both male and female addax has long twisted horns measure between 55 cm and 85 cm, but females have smaller horns than males. The color of their coat changes according to seasons, during the winter season they have grey or brown coats and it changes to white the summer. Addax lives in herds of 5 to 20 members, consisting of both males and females.
8. Blackbuck
Indian antelope popularly known as the blackbuck is an antelope found in the Indian subcontinent is better known for the long ringed horns. The long, ringed horns generally present only on males, though females may develop horns as well. The horns stretch up to 75 cm and have 3-5 turns. Their horns look like the shape of “V”. It has white fur on the chin and around the eyes in sharp contrast with the black stripes on the face. The males have a double coat on their body and males are larger in size than that of females. This animal is found in the places where water is easily available, like forest areas and grassy plains.
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7. Mouflon
Mouflons are one of the members of the wild sheep family. Male Mouflon has helix-shaped horns up to 80 cm long and it grows throughout the life of a male mouflon. It has dark brown and red coat on its body. Females have no horns in some subspecies but some subspecies have smaller horns that are slightly curved towards the rear. This animal is found in eastern part of Iran, Iraq, and Armenia, but its population is constantly decreasing on the islands and mountainous regions. The male mouflons use their large horn to fight with rival males to attract female and to ensure their dominance in a group. This animal is found on steep mountainous regions and forests in summer and lower altitudes in winter.
6. Oryx
The oryx is one of largest antelope species found in many parts of Africa and Arabian Peninsula. They are easily recognized by their sharp pointed long straight horns. Their horns reach up to a length of 30 inches. With their sharp horns, they are able to kill lions too. Oryx lives in herds of up to 600 members. Oryx has an excellent sense of smell and can survive without water for long periods. Newborn calves are able to run immediately after birth.
5. White Rhinoceros
The white rhinoceros is the largest of the five species of rhinoceros. It has a broad chest, short neck, heavy and massive body. Male rhinos are heavier than female rhinos. The average weight of male rhino is about 2,300 kg. They have two horns on its snout, longer front horn, and smaller back horn. These horns are made of keratin which is different from other animals. The larger horn of white rhinos reaches up to 60 cm in length. It can reach up to 150 cm but only in females. They form a group that contains up to 14 rhinos and feed mainly on grass.
4. Capra Ibex
Capra ibex or Alpine ibex is a species of wild goat that lives in the mountainous regions of Europe. The male Capra ibex has large and strong curved horns which can reach up to a length of 40 inches, while females have short and thin horns. The coat colour is generally brownish grey. They live in a steep rocky terrain of high mountainous ranges and are excellent climber too. During the breeding season, male ibex fight with rival ibex using their long horns to get female ibex. The climbing ability is such that they can stand on the sheer face of a dam easily.
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3. Moose
The moose or elk is the largest deer species that inhabit in the Northern Hemisphere. These animals stay in temperate broadleaf and mixed woods and are known for the huge antlers of male moose. Their broad antlers look like cylindrical beams which appear somewhat like a fork. Strength and size of antlers also depend on the age and diet of a moose. Its antlers measure 210 centimeters from one end to another end. Male moose use their antlers to compete against rival males and to attract female during mating season. The antler of moose shed and regrows again every year.
2. Markhor
The markhor or the screw horn goat is one of the endangered and largest species of wild goat found in central parts of Asia and on Rocky Mountains of North America. Markhor has short reddish colored fur during summer which grows and changes from red to gray in winter. Both males and females have corkscrew horns reach up to 1.6 meters in length. The horns of male markhors are longer than that of females. During mating season males fight each other by locking horns and attempting to push each other off balance. Markhors inhabit in shrub forests of the high mountains.
1. Caribou
The Caribou is popularly known as the reindeer is a species of deer found across North America, Europe, and Asia. Both male and female caribou have antlers, but antlers of male caribou are longer than female. The antlers of large males can range up to 135 cm in beam length and 100 cm in width. Caribou uses their antlers to dig snow to find food during the winter season. During mating season male caribou uses their antlers to defeat rival male caribou. The antler of caribou shed after mating season and a new pair regrows again in next summer season. Antlers of reindeer are the second largest of any extant deer, after the moose.
Well, this was the list of top 10 best horns and antlers in the animal world. Some of these horns or antlers are able to kill a man in single hit. So, it is better to stay away from these ultimate weapons. What do you think about these animals and their horns or antlers? Or Want to add or remove any animals which we are missing? Comment below:
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