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Horn - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 11:39, 5 August 2008
, 11:39, 5 August 2008→Structure and Function
The primary function of horns is to convey social hierarchy. The larger the horns, the higher up the social group the animal is. They also have a thermoregulatory roll in cattle and goats. When the ambient temperature increases, the blood flow through the dermis of the horn also increases, thus facilitating heat loss through radiation from the horn surface.
The primary function of horns is to convey social hierarchy. The larger the horns, the higher up the social group the animal is. They also have a thermoregulatory roll in cattle and goats. When the ambient temperature increases, the blood flow through the dermis of the horn also increases, thus facilitating heat loss through radiation from the horn surface.
===Antlers===
'''Antlers''' are the usually large and complex horn-like appendages of most deer species, mostly present in males only, however, for some species such as caribou, are present in both sexes. They consist of bony outgrowths from the skull with no covering of keratin as is found in true horns. Each antler grows from an attachment point on the skull called a''' pedicle'''. While an antler is growing it is covered with highly vascular [[Skin - Anatomy & Physiology|skin]] called '''velvet''', which supplies oxygen and nutrients to the growing bone; once the antler has achieved its proper size, the velvet is lost and the antler's bone dies. This dead bone structure is the mature antler. Antlers shed after each mating season.
Antlers appear to act as large hearing aids. This effect was discovered by researchers George and Peter Bubenik and published the findings in the European Journal of Wildlife in March 2008. Moose with antlers have far more sensitive hearing than moose without. The pair then studied trophy antlers with an artificial ear, confirming the discovery of the effects on hearing by acting as a parabolic reflector.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/mar/21/medicalresearch.animalbehaviour Moose's sharp hearing is attributed to antlers | Science | The Guardian<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>