What is a rhino horn?
Quick Answer
A rhino horn is a structure made mostly of keratin, the same protein found in human hair and nails. It is attached to the skin, not the skull bone, and grows continuously.
The Full Story
Rhino horns are made mainly of keratin, a tough structural protein also found in hair, nails, and claws. Unlike true horns in some animals, rhinoceros horns do not have a bony core; they are compacted fibers of keratin. Rhinos use their horns for defense, digging, and dominance displays. Because horns are highly valued in illegal wildlife trade, poaching has severely threatened rhino populations. Conservation efforts have reduced some threats, but several rhino species remain endangered or critically endangered.
Key Facts
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"A rhino horn is not bone at all—so what is it made of?"