He is the first North American pontiff to be elected leader of the Catholic Church
The Nubian ibex, a desert-dwelling goat species, is known for its impressive horns. Found in arid mountainous regions of northern and northeast Africa, as well as the Middle East, both males and females possess horns. However, it is the males who proudly flaunt them. Sadly, due to decreasing population numbers, this solitary and elusive species is now considered vulnerable.
The addax, a type of antelope native to the Sahara Desert, is a critically endangered species known for its attractive spiral horns that can be found on both males and females.
The reindeer, referred to as the caribou in North America, are a type of deer discovered in the Arctic tundra, northern Europe, Siberia, and North America. Unlike other deer species, both male and female reindeer grow antlers.
The red hartebeest, known for its vibrant colors, possesses an attractive silhouette with its intricately curved horns on both males and females. It is primarily found in southern Africa.
Springboks, a type of antelope, are found mainly in southern and southwestern Africa. They are slender, graceful, and have distinctive markings. Both males and females have black horns that start straight and then curve backward, with the females' being thinner.
Moose are the biggest deer species, with males easily distinguished by their massive antlers, spanning 1.82m (6 ft) in length. In Eurasia, this species is referred to as elk.
The male greater kudu, an antelope species found in eastern and southern Africa, possesses impressive spiral horns that can reach a length of 1.8 m (6 ft), featuring two and a half elegant twists. Lesser kudus also display noteworthy, albeit smaller, horns.
The blackbuck, a type of antelope found in India and Nepal, displays a noticeable two-tone appearance. The upper half of its coat is a deep black color, while the lower half has a lighter shade, resembling milk. Male blackbucks have long, ringed horns, but females can also develop horns.
The pronghorn is an indigenous species to North America and holds the title of being the swiftest hoofed creature on the continent. What sets it apart is its distinctive antlers which it sheds every year. The male pronghorn possesses lyre-shaped horns that gracefully curve inward, while the female pronghorn typically bears straight and have shorter spikes.
This species, native to the western regions of North America, is one of the most cherished and emblematic creatures of the American West. Its name originates from its notable ears, while antlers exclusively adorn male individuals.
The markhor, a species of large wild goat, is native to Central Asia, including the Karakorum mountain range along the borders of China, India, and Pakistan, as well as the Himalayas. Male markhors possess unique corkscrew horns.
The Alpine ibex, as its name implies, inhabits the European Alps mountain range. This wild goat species possesses impressive horns that curve backwards and are adorned with ridges. Although both males and females have these horns, those of the males are notably larger in size.
The fallow deer originated in Asia Minor and is now widely distributed in Europe. Male deer, known as fallow bucks, have broad flat antlers that are the biggest among Old World deer in proportion to their body size.
The chital, also called the spotted deer due to its coat with many white spots, is a native deer species found in the Indian subcontinent. Only male chitals have large, lyre-shaped antlers.
In Texas, everything is large, including the enormous horns of this particular type of cattle. These horns can reach a length of over 2.5 m (8 ft) from tip to tip for both cows and bulls.
The sable antelope, found in eastern and southern Africa from Kenya to South Africa, boasts magnificent ringed horns that arch upward and curve backward. It thrives in wooded savanna habitats and can also be seen in certain areas of Angola.
The Arabian oryx is categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. It is found in desert and steppe regions of the Arabian Peninsula. Both males and females have long, straight or slightly curved, black horns with rings, giving them an elegant and noble appearance.
The East African oryx possesses thin, straight, and ringed horns, which are present in both males and females. This antelope species is native to East Africa and holds an Endangered status according to the IUCN.
Male red deer, also known as stags, possess impressively large antlers due to their species' significant size. Red deer can be found across Europe, Iran, and parts of western Asia, including the Atlas Mountains in Morocco and Tunisia.
The Highland cattle, a resilient Scottish breed, are recognized by their shaggy coat and long horns that taper to a sharp point. These distinctive attributes are found in both males and females of the breed.
The saiga, often considered the strangest antelope, is easily identified by its distinctive feature of closely spaced, swollen nostrils that face downwards. Only the males possess horns, which are thick, ringed, slightly see-through, and have a color similar to wax. The saiga inhabits the semi-desert grasslands of Central Asia and is currently in a critically endangered state.
The bharal, also called the blue sheep, is native to the Himalayas. Both males and females have horns that resemble an upside-down mustache.
The European mouflon, originally from Corsica and Sardinia but now widespread in Europe, has an interesting distinction. Rams all grow impressive horns, but the female mouflons in Sardinia don't have any. On the other hand, female mouflons in Corsica have small horns that curve slightly backwards. This sturdy and fast-footed species has made its mark across the continent.
Regrettably, scimitar-horned oryxes have not been observed in their native environment since 1983. Consequently, the IUCN has officially classified the species as extinct in the wild. Consequently, the only opportunity to appreciate this magnificent creature is by visiting a zoo enclosure or a protected park, like the Haute Touche Zoological Park in France, where this image was captured. Both males and females of the species possess horns, with the females' being comparatively slender.
The giant eland, classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, is naturally found in certain areas stretching from Senegal to the Nile River. Its horn, which forms a beautifully shaped 'V,' exhibits intricate spiral patterns in both males and females.
Like other elk in the Rockies, this magnificent subspecies is recognized for the six branches on each antler, which are characteristic of bulls.
The mountain goat, also referred to as the Rocky Mountain goat, is a confident creature found in the awe-inspiring alpine environments of North America. This species possesses a beard, short tail, and long black horns, which are characteristics displayed by both males and females.
White-tailed deer bucks can grow antlers with eight points, looking like an upside-down chandelier. Bucks without antler branches are sometimes called "spikehorn" or "spike bucks." While rare, about one in 10,000 female deer also have antlers. White-tailed deer are found in the Americas and some European countries.
The African buffalo, a native of sub-Sahara Africa, is a formidable creature known for being moody! Its most distinguishing trait is the fused base of its horns, which creates a solid bone shield known as a "boss" on top of its head. This powerful bovine is widely recognized as one of the most dangerous animals found in Africa.
Sources: (BBC Wildlife) (World Wildlife Fund) (IUCN Red List) (Fauna & Flora International) (Zoodelahautetouche) (Mossy Oak)
See also: Why have wildlife populations declined by 73%?
Horns and antlers are extensions of an animal's skull and are typically found on males, with a few exceptions. While horns and antlers may appear similar, there are notable distinctions between animals possessing antlers and those possessing horns. Antlers, primarily made of bone, are paired and branched structures that are annually shed. On the other hand, horns consist of a bony core and are covered by a keratin sheath, usually unbranched and in two parts. Regardless, this exceptional headgear adds to the magnificence of some of the most beautiful creatures in the animal kingdom.
Interested in finding out who wears this headgear best? Click through the gallery and decide who tops the list.
Nature's most incredible horns and antlers
Impressive headgear of the Animal Kingdom
LIFESTYLE Nature
Horns and antlers are extensions of an animal's skull and are typically found on males, with a few exceptions. While horns and antlers may appear similar, there are notable distinctions between animals possessing antlers and those possessing horns. Antlers, primarily made of bone, are paired and branched structures that are annually shed. On the other hand, horns consist of a bony core and are covered by a keratin sheath, usually unbranched and in two parts. Regardless, this exceptional headgear adds to the magnificence of some of the most beautiful creatures in the animal kingdom.
Interested in finding out who wears this headgear best? Click through the gallery and decide who tops the list.