Mini post: Horns vs Antlers

Someone asked me the difference between horns and antlers so I thought I’d make it a mini post.

Horns, like those of the big horn sheep, have a bony core that grows from the skull and an outer layer of keratin which is the substance that makes your hair and nails. Horns are permanent and grow throughout the animal’s life. They are also unbranched meaning they grow in one continuous peace.

Antlers, like the mule deer has, are entirely made of bone that grows from the skull. They are branched and they are shed each and every year.