Horn (anatomy)

A horn is like a long, pointy thing that grows from the head of some animals like cows, goats, and rhinos. Think of it like a unicorn's horn, but on a real animal!

Inside the animal's head, there is a special bone called the horn core. It's like the skeleton of the horn. On the outside of the animal's head, there is a layer of skin and hair that covers the horn core. This layer of skin and hair is called the horn sheath.

The animal's body can grow the horn sheath really quickly. When the old sheath wears away, a new one starts growing immediately. It's like the animal is always wearing a brand new hat!

Horns can be used for a lot of things. Some animals use them to defend themselves from predators. Others use them to show off to potential mates during mating season. And some animals even use their horns to dig into the dirt to find food!

So next time you visit a farm or zoo and see an animal with a horn, you'll know that it's a special thing that the animal can use for lots of different reasons.