What Is the Purpose of Giraffe Horns?

Whenever an adversary gets too near, the giraffe might opt to whip its head very quickly, and these little horns can occasionally assist in knocking out the other opponent. In spite of the fact that the giraffe seems to be peaceful and comfortable most of the time, it may become quite violent when it feels threatened.

Even while the giraffe’s horns may be useful in some instances, they don’t seem to be used in the giraffe’s regular existence.

A little farther down the page, you can see that some of the earlier relatives of the giraffe had larger horns on the top of their heads. (See the next paragraph for more information.) This is because they have inherited characteristics from their forebears, which is one of the reasons they are called ossicones.

 

 

 

There is just one other creature in the world that is as distinctive as the giraffe (more info further down).

Most giraffes have three ossicones, whereas others have just two or three. In addition to two behind each ear, one is in the middle between each eye. In addition, as you can see lower down in this page, some of the extinct ancestors of the giraffe had four ossicones each.

 

 

 

 

The image above is of an African giraffe from Tanzania, taken in 2012 on a safari trip in that country. Take note of the additional horn in the middle, which is far larger than what we are used to seeing on this creature.

 

There are numerous surprises in nature, and we will likely never know why this particular variety of giraffe has an additional horn until we look into it.

 

 

 

 

However, it seems to be really attractive!

What kind of defenses do giraffes have?
It’s not risky looking at all when you’re looking at a giraffe from a distance. You may also be curious in how it manages to protect itself from other creatures on the property.

An animal may be struck by a giraffe because of its long neck, which it can swing at high speeds. It is capable of knocking even large cats unconscious in order to protect itself, and they will remain asleep for a period of time after being struck. Consequently, the giraffe has a window of chance to flee before the predator rouses himself from his sleep.

 

 

 

With each swing of the giraffe’s head, the weight of these little horns adds more speed to the swing (and consequently more weight). So, despite the fact that they seem to be of little use to the giraffe, it is possible that they do serve a purpose for them.

We do not think that the giraffe utilizes its little horns to protect itself directly. In contrast to antlers and genuine horns, they are covered in skin and are not pointed. As a result, we are unable to employ them to do harm to another creature.

 

 

 

Which animal’s horns do we refer to as “giraffe horns”?

Obsicones is the proper name for this creature.’ It is literally translated as “boney cone” in the Italian language. Even though it’s bone tissue, this sort of bone is softer than the hard type of bone we’d find in a leg or the neck.

A variety of names have been given to them:

Horns \Antennas
Antlers
Bumps 
Perhaps the most significant reason why individuals are unsure about their proper name is because their genuine name is difficult to recall and pronounce. In order to avoid confusion, horns and antlers are often used.

 

 

 

What is the correct way to pronounce the word “Ossicones?”

While the first half of the term is pronounced as if it were the given name “Ossi,” the final portion is spoken as if it were the given name “Jones,” with a “C.”

The term ossicones is used to refer to combining the two sounds.

That’s how it works. In fact, it’s quite simple to pronounce, and even children can master it with a few practice attempts.

 

 

 

 

Can you tell me what they’re like to feel?

Because the ossicones are covered in skin, they do not resemble antlers. Also, unlike horns, they are not harsh to the touch.

When the young giraffe grows bigger, they will get attached to the skull, which is comprised of bone.

The ossicones, on the other hand, are not linked to the giraffe’s skull when he or she is first born. They are being held together, we suppose, to keep them from fracturing and causing injury to the little guy’s skull.

They have a soft and strong texture when you touch them, similar to the giraffe’s leg muscles.

Another important distinction between giraffe ossicones and genuine horns is that the former are smaller. Despite their appearance, they are not horns at all since they are covered with skin and are soft.

The “horns” are constructed of what, specifically.
Rather than bone, the horns are constructed of “cartilage,” a substance that is more flexible than bone but yet retains its structural integrity.

Human ears contain traces of it as well. Consequently, it does not have antlers or horns. It is really not uncommon for cartilage to be found within horns, but rather in the ears and other softer portions of the body instead.

 

 

 

 

 

A thin layer of skin and hair can be found outside the ossicones, exactly as we can discover on the remainder of a giraffe’s body outside the ossicones. Interesting that all of the giraffes have skin that grows outside of their ossicones, and it’s possible that there’s a clue hiding in this information.

In fact, it’s possible that the giraffe’s skin began to thicken and hide its horns as they began to recede as the giraffe developed from its forebears, causing the horns to become less noticeable.

 

 

 

We will almost certainly never know for certain, but when you consider a large number of the creatures listed below, which are closely related to the giraffe, it makes a great deal of sense to believe this is true. When gazing at the massive Sivatherium, this is particularly true. Below is an illustration of what I’m talking about.

 

 

 

But, as we’ll see in the next section, more on that.

Is there any relation between giraffes and other animals?

Apparently, giraffes are not the only animals that possess ossicones. Although they are on one other animal today, we will locate them. The presence of these creatures was formerly a bit more prevalent, but they are now completely extinct.

 

 

 

A group of giraffes known as Okapis are the closest relatives of the giraffe.

Male Okapis have these little horn-like antlers on the front of their heads, as you can see in the photo below. Aside from that, it’s not very obvious that this species is the closest cousin of the giraffe in the picture. A horse or even a tiny deer is more like what it seems to be now.

The small horns, on the other hand, are a dead give-away. It’s really connected to the giraffe in terms of genetic makeup.

Obsicone horns on an okapi.

Ossicones are also seen on the heads of male okapis.

Contrary to the giraffes, the female okapis did not have these horns on their heads. With regard to giraffes, the spots are seen on both the men and females of the species. The reason why we won’t be able to detect their horns on the female okapis is a mystery to us.

 

 

 

 

Aside from having two horns, the okapi and the giraffe share another characteristic: both have a long dark-colored tongue. They both have a very distinct tongue that feels strange when you speak it. Seeing the giraffe reach its long tongue out to get food from your palm may have reminded you of your visit to the zoo.

Giraffes are very amusing creatures, and we’re still puzzled as to why they have such a black tongue. We’re left to make educated guesses, and yours may be as accurate as mine.

 

 

 

In addition to humans, what other species possess ossicones?

Sivatherium \Climacoceratids \Climacoceras
Due to the fact that these creatures are extinct, as shown by their names, we did not feel it necessary to give him a proper name.

The Sivatherium resembles a cross between an okapi and a giraffe in terms of its appearance, and it is. Also observe that the okapi’s horns are far larger than those of the giraffe’s, as well as its larger skull.

And it’s possible that this is the true explanation behind giraffes’ horns. As a result of the fact that this old cousin did have long horns/antlers and that the horn did not vanish as it transformed into a giraffe, As a result, they only get smaller and more resemble the ones that we see today on top of the giraffe’s head.

With horns, the sivatherium

 

 

 

 

In comparison to the giraffes, the “Climacoceratids” were much more stoic. Ossicones were present on them in the same way as they are seen on giraffes, which was unusual. The shape and length of the ossicones suggest that they are closely related to giraffes, but we don’t know for sure since we only have ancient bones or other sources of information.

 

 

 

 

We only see the giraffe and the okapi today, which are both members of the “Giraffe family” of mammals. The Giraffidae are the family of animals that includes the giraffe.

Giraffes can only be found in the savannahs of Africa. It is also only found in Africa, however it does not dwell on savannas like other animals. There it may be seen roaming in the Congolese rainforests,