Antlers vs Horns

This 4x4 bulk elk still has velvet on its antlers. The velvet means the antlers were still growing in June when this picture was taken.

A closer view of a bighorn sheep ram horns.

Mule deer in the fall after velvet has fallen off, exposing the bones of its antlers.

This is an older bison. It falls in the category of aged 15+. Notice that the keratin of this bison's horns is rubbed smooth, which happens over time and with wallowing sessions.

Antlers

Characteristics

Found on members of the deer family, elk, mule deer, and moose.
Composed of bone, cartilage, fibrous tissue, skin, nerves, and blood vessels.
Found on males, only with the exception of reindeer/caribou.
Has multiple points.
Velvet is lost before the rut. The velvet is the skin, nerves, and blood vessels.
Shed and regrown yearly.
Falls off after the rut due to the drop in testosterone.
When growing, the velvet covers the bone and supplies blood that carries food and oxygen.

Horns

Characteristics

Found on bison and bighorn sheep.
Composed of bone on the inside and a thick layer of keratin on the outside. Keratin is the same material as your fingernails or hair.
Horns are on both male and female bison. Female bighorn sheep have horns, which are never as large as rams' horns.
Has a single point.
Horns never shed.

Male, buck, pronghorn with a closer view of its horns.

Horns of Pronghorns

Characteristics

The horns of a pronghorn are a blend of horn and antler characteristics. It is in a category of its own.

Shared with both antlers and horns

Inside consists of bone

Shares with horns

The outside covering is keratin

Shares with antlers

Has multiple points on the horn

Only pronghorn

Sheds only its sheath which is regrown annually

Horns are not dropped
Antler velvet is first shed, then later, the bone is dropped

Only 70% of females have horns that are much smaller than male

← Grizzly vs Black Bear Comparison

Animal Comparison Info

Moose, Elk, Mule Deer Comparison →