26 Types Of Animals With Horns

Alpine Ibex
Alpine Ibex

Animals range in colors, designs, features, and other various attributes. Some animals have horns while some do not. One may look pretty them while some don’t. Here is a list of animals with horns in the world.

Animals With Horns

1. Markhor

Markhor is one of the beautiful types of wild goats most seen in the regions of central and western parts of Asia. These species love to thrive in the mountainous regions and inhabit monsoon and scrub forests. Markhor is on the list of endangered species until 2015, howvever, thanks to the government authorities, their population has increased by 20%, and now they are threatened. It can reach up to 52 to 73 inches in length and weighs between 71 to 240 pounds.

Talking about the appearance, Markhor has a light brown to black-colored (males) and reddish-colored (females) skin coat which is short and smooth during the summer and the coat becomes thick during the winter season. The name Markhor comes from the word “markhor” which means “snake” in the Persian language and they refer to the shape of the horns that look like a coiled snake and even the ability of the animal to kill the snake. The avarage lifespan of markhor is between 10 to 13 years in the wild. It is also listed as one of the coolest animals in the world.

Also Read: 10 Different Types Of Hawks In The World

Markhor
Markhor

Image Source: Wikimedia

2. Saiga Antelope

Saiga antelope is one of the animals with long faces that grows between 100 to 140 cm long with a weight of 26 to 69 Kg. The avarage lifespan of Saiga Antelope has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. this animal of arid and semi-desert areas of Central Asia, Russia, Mongolia, and other countries is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN because of illegal trading and continuous poaching. It is also listed as one of the animals with big lips in the world.

Talking about the appearance, It is a reddish yellow to gray-brown having a large nose that helps to filter out the dust. Its ringed horns add beauty to it. Its horns have led to its illegal hunting and a source of trade. Feeding on lichens, fobs, grasses, and other vegetation it easily gets caught by bacterial disease leading to mass deaths of Saiga Antelope which is continuously decreasing its population.

Also Read: 10 Most Scary Spiders In The World

Saiga Antelope
Saiga Antelope

Image Source: Wikimedia

3. Nubian Ibex

With a length of 42 to 49 inches long and a weight of 55 to 145 lb, Nubian Ibex is also known as Capra Ibex. Being a desert goat it is found mostly in the rocky mountainous and desert regions of Africa, the Middle East, Egypt, Northern Ethiopia, Northeast Sudan, and Western Eritrea with a life span of 17 years.

Nubian Ibex is seen moving in small groups of nearly 20 members Nubian Ibex feeds on just plants, leaves, and grasses. Nubian Ibex appears super cute in the tan body having white and black spots on the legs and underbelly. With long horns bending backward forming a semicircle-like structure Nubian Ibex looks quite distinctive. These horns serve the purpose of defense and sex clarification.

Nubian Ibex
Nubian Ibex

Image Source: Wikimedia

4. Bharal

Growing about 46 to 65 inches tall and weighing nearly 110 to 120 lb, Bharal resides mostly on the open grassy slopes of high mountains and near the cliffs of Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Tibet, Indian Himalayas, and Pakistan. Being an inhabitant of the Indian Himalayas, Bharal is also renowned as blue sheep with life anticipation of approx 24 years. Present in enough numbers, Bharal moves in large groups having 5 to 200 sheep.

Its unique technique of lying still on grasses to protect it from hunters is quite common. With bluish or grey thick skin and black legs and chest, it often looks cute. Females have short and straight horns while males have relatively large and curved horns. These horns help them in their defense and sometimes to communicate also.

Bharal
Bharal

Image Source: Wikimedia

5. Addax

One of the animals with horns with a weight ranging between 60 to 125 kg and a length of 59-67 inches, Addax is found in semi-deserts, stony areas, and sandy and arid regions of Northern Africa. With a life of nearly 25 years, addax moves in groups of 5 to 20 addaxes. Addax appears quite adorable with twisted horns looking like spirals. Being so heavy, it gets easily caught by other animals with horns and so, its number is reducing day by day and only 500 addaxes are left worldwide.

Addax
Addax

Image Source: Wikimedia

6. Mouflon

These animals with horns are found typically in the deserts, mountainous regions, and grasslands of Western Asia and Central Asia, Mouflon is 43.3-57 inches long with a weight of 198 lb. being herbivores it feeds on various plants, shrubs, leaves, and trees for its life period of eight to ten years.

This quiet, calm, and peace-loving animal run at a speed of 20 mph. surprisingly, their horns are known to increase in size till their last time and males have comparatively much more big and giant horns than females. This brawny, well-built, and powerful animal also gains a position in the entire group according to the size of its horns.

Mouflon
Mouflon

Image Source: Cloudtail the Snow Leopard

7. Blackbuck

Blackbuck is about growing about 47 inches long and weighing 32-57 kg, Blackbuck is found in the United States and Indian subcontinents. It’s brown to the yellowish body with male blackbuck having horns which are hooped at the base and are warped spirally makes it exclusive. It is one of the most amazing animals with horns in the world.

The white fur and patches around the eyes that contrast with black strips on the face adds beauty to it. Sprinting at a fast speed of about 80 km per hour blackbuck feeds on grasses, cereals, plants, and shrubs. Blackbuck is on the border of extinction because of habitat loss and unrestrained homicide.

Blackbuck
Blackbuck

Image Source: Wikimedia

8. Scimitar-Horned-Oryx

Growing around 1 meter tall, Scimitar-Horned-Oryx is a white and brown furry animal found in semi-desert areas of Northern America. This elegant antelope is unfortunately extinct in wild now because of continuous climatic change, overgrazing, and loss of natural habitat.

It is also named Sahara scimitar oryx because of its curved long horns that bend backward. Running at a speed of 37 miles per hour, this antelope is not much aggressive and love resting and grazing in fields. Like camels, they can live without water for many days and can tolerate internal body temperature.

Scimitar-Horned-Oryx
Scimitar-Horned-Oryx

Image Source: Wikimedia

9. Giant Eland

Growing about 220-290 cm long and weighing 300-1000 kg, Giant Eland is the largest species of antelope found usually in deserts, woodlands, and savannas of Senegal, Central, and Western Africa, and Eastern and Southern Africa.

The tasty flesh of this animal has resulted in its brutal hunting making it a critically endangered animal and the remaining ones have a life period of 20 to 25 years. feeding on grasses, leaves, fruits, trees, weeds, foliage, and other plant products, Giant Eland runs at a speed of 70 kph. With a reddish-brown body having V-shaped long horns with thick edges, Giant Eland looks adorable. Males have usually bigger horns than females.

Giant Eland
Giant Eland

Image Source: Wikipedia

10. Jackson’s Chameleon

Because of its unique three horns, Jackson’s Chameleon residing in the woodlands and forests is also renowned as Jackson’s horned Chameleon, Kikuyu three-horned Chameleon, and many more. Growing nearly 9 to 13 inches long and weighing 90 to 150 grams, Jackson’s Chameleon lives for 5 to 10 years. This blue, green, or yellow-colored Chameleon feeds on insects, birds, spiders, isopods, centipedes, millipedes, and snails. Its three horns enabling it to fight with others by pushing them with horns is one of its unique characteristics.

Jackson’s Chameleon
Jackson’s Chameleon

11. Greater Kudu

The greater kudu is a large antelope species that belongs to the family Bovidae. The male can be easily identified with the black twisted horns, however, females do not have horns. It is one of the largest antelope species whose body length ranges between 1.2 to 1.5 m. Males are heavier than females where males’ average weight is between 225 to 357.7 kg and females weigh between 180 to 235 kg.

The primary diet includes leaves, grass, roots, and sometimes fruits and tubers. They are also browsers who can sustain without drinking for a longer period of time because they get sufficient moisture from their food. The avarice lifespan of greater kudu is 15 years in the wild.

Greater Kudu
Greater Kudu

12. Spiral-horned Antelopes

The Spiral-horned antelope is one of the most popular animals with horns in the world that is mostly seen in the African Sahara regions.  They belong to the family Bovidae and as of now, nine different species are known in the wild. It is very good at hiding to spot its predators and hides behind tall and dense bushes to perfectly blend in with the vegetation around them.  The body length is between 5.9 ft to 7.8 ft and the average weight is between 220 lb to 286 lb. They are social animals and are generally found in groups or tribes called herds. The average lifespan of a spiral-horned antelope is 15 years in the wild.

Spiral-horned Antelopes
Spiral-horned Antelopes

Image Source: Wikimedia

13. Wild water buffalo

Wild water buffalo is one of the animals with horns in the world that belongs to the bovine family.  The animal species originates from southern parts of Asia and is beloved to have been domesticated approximately a thousand years ago. It is a large animal where males are three times bigger than females.

Water buffalo can reach between 6.6 to 9.8 feet in height and the average weight is between 1500 to 2650 pounds. Water buffalo is the second largest type of wild cattle followed by Gaur which is the largest species of wild cattle. It primarily feeds on aquatic plants and is also seen grazing grass and eating different types of leaves and herbs. The avarage lifespan of wild water buffalo is 9 years in the wild and up to 25 years in captivity.

Wild water buffalo
Wild water buffalo

Image Source: Wikimedia

14. Elk

Elk is a large mammal that belongs to the family of deer. As of now, 10 subspecies are known in the wild mostly seen in North America and Asia.  It can reach 4 to 5 feet at shoulder height and its average wieght is. between 325 to 1100 pounds. Elk are crepuscular animal that is active at dusk and dawn. The diet is based on tree sprouts, forbs, grass, and bark. The natural enemies of elks are bears, mountain lions, coyotes, and wolves. They are seen in herds composed of animals of one sex where males form smaller herds than females. The avarage lifespan of elk is between 8 to 12 years in the wild and 20 years in captivity.

Elk
Elk

15. Alpine Ibex

The Alpine ibex is a wild goat species that lives in the mountains of the European Alps. The body Length is between 121 to 171 cm and the average weight is between 17 to 117 grams. They are known for their big horns which are curved backward. They are seen in most or all of the Italian and French alpine ranges, southern Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. The dietary habits are herbivores, graminivores, and folivores in nature, and feed on grasses, flowers, bushes, springs, and other plants of the habitat.  The avarage lifespan of alpine ibex is between 10 to 21 years in the wild.

Alpine Ibex
Alpine Ibex

16. Gemsbok

Gemsbok is a large antelope species in Africa that belongs to the Bovid family.  They are mostly seen in the southwestern region of West Africa. They prefer to thrive in wooded savannas, open grasslands, sand dunes, semi-deserts, and rocky areas. The body ranges from 75 to 94 inches in length and the average weight is between 220 to 460 pounds. The diet ranges from seedpods, fruit (such as melon), tuber, bulbs, roots, and grass. The main predators of the gemsbok are lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, and wild dogs. The avarage lifespan of Gemsbok is upto 20 years in the wild.

Gemsbok
Gemsbok

17. Nyala

The Nyala, a slender antelope found in southeastern Africa, is known for its gender differences and habitat preferences, which limit its range to the Lowveld of southern Africa. It is part of the spiral-horned antelope tribe Tragelaphini, along with kudus and elands. Nyalas prefer dense woodlands near water on the coastal plain and in major river valleys. They are browsers and grazers, relying on high-quality grasslands near cover, where they spend their days and emerge to graze on green grass in the evenings during the wet season. In the dry season, they primarily eat browse, including the foliage of various plants, as well as seeds and fruits. Their habitat must include both cover for protection and open areas for grazing, making them dependent on a specific type of environment for their survival.

Nyala
Nyala

18. Gazelle

There are more than 14 types of gazelles classified under the antelope genus Gazella. Six of these species are found in Africa, including the Dorcas gazelle, which inhabits the Sahara Desert and northern regions of Africa. Grant’s gazelle is one of the tallest gazelles, while the slender-horned gazelle is endangered due to habitat loss and human expansion. Other gazelle species in Africa include Speke’s gazelle, Thomson’s gazelle, and dama gazelle. Both male and female gazelles typically grow horns, although females often have shorter horns than males. Some species may have exceptions to this rule. Gazelles are known for their slender build, speed, and graceful movements, making them a unique and important part of Africa’s wildlife.

Tibetan Gazelle

19. Waterbuck

There are two types of waterbuck: the defassa and common waterbuck, both known for being one of the smelliest animals in Africa. Their shaggy brown coats secrete a strong-smelling oily substance, possibly for waterproofing. They live in woodlands, savannas, and areas near water sources, ensuring access to food. They prefer tougher grasses that other animals avoid. Waterbuck horns are long and slightly curved, continuing to grow throughout their lives, indicating their age. Only male waterbucks have horns; females do not. Male waterbucks use their horns to defend against predators and establish dominance when they reach maturity. Their proximity to water provides them with a reliable food source, allowing them to thrive in various habitats across Africa.

Waterbuck
Waterbuck

20. Impala

The impala is a common antelope in Africa, known for its incredible speed and ability to leap up to 3 meters high and 10 meters long. They use a loud barking noise to alert the herd of danger. When resources are plentiful, they form smaller groups, but during the dry season, they gather in large herds of 100-200 individuals to find food and water together. Only male impalas have horns, which are dark and curve outward from their heads, with the tips far apart. This adaptation helps them defend themselves and establish dominance. Impalas are important prey animals in the African savannas, providing food for predators like lions and cheetahs. Their agility and social behaviour are fascinating aspects of their survival in the wild.

Impala
Impala

21. Springbok

Springboks, known for their impressive jumps up to 3.5 meters high, are smaller antelopes in Africa with both males and females having horns. Females tend to form herds where they raise their young, often with several dominant males. The leaps, known as pronking, are believed to distract predators. Springboks have a varied diet, feeding on different plants depending on the season and availability. They prefer plants and flowers with higher water content but also graze on grasses. These animals have ability to jump and to adapt to different food sources and their unique jumping behaviour make them fascinating animals to observe in the African savannas.

Springbok
Springbok

22. Hartebeest

The red hartebeest, named for its resemblance to a powerful ox from afar, is a unique antelope species. They live in strong family groups with a clear hierarchy among the males. Male hartebeests often prioritize maintaining their alpha status over drinking water, sometimes returning from water sources to find another male who has claimed the alpha position. Breeding occurs when food and water are plentiful, regardless of the season, aligning with rainfall patterns. Their behaviour and adaptations to the harsh African environment make them fascinating animals to observe in the wild.

Hartebeest
Hartebeest

Image Source: animalia.bio

23. Rhino

Rhinos are among the most well-known animals with horns in Africa, with two main species: the black rhino and the white rhino. Unfortunately, they are critically endangered due to poaching, as their horns are highly valued in some cultures. Despite extensive efforts to prevent poaching, it remains a serious issue in many African national parks and conservation areas. Both rhino species have two horns, but they differ in shape and size. Black rhinos have more evenly sized and rounded horns, while white rhinos typically have one large horn and one small horn, giving them a more square-shaped appearance. The conservation of rhinos is crucial to maintain biodiversity and protect these magnificent creatures from extinction.

Rhinoceros

24. Topi

The topi, also known as tsessebe or sassaby, is a common and widespread antelope in Africa, belonging to the Alcelaphini tribe along with blesboks, hartebeests, and wildebeests. Damaliscus lunatus is called the topi in East Africa and sassaby or tsessebe in Southern Africa. It is a sleek and agile animal built for sustained speed, resembling a smaller, darker hartebeest. The topi has a distinctive appearance, with larger forequarters sloping to lower hindquarters and ordinary-looking horns that are similar in both males and females. They are well-adapted to their grassland habitats, where they can often be seen grazing and moving swiftly across the plains. Their unique features and behaviour make them an important part of the African savanna ecosystem.

Topi
Topi

Image Source: Wikimedia

25. Bontebok

The Bontebok is a medium-sized antelope, usually dark brown with a wide white blaze on its face, white rump, belly, hocks, and a black-tipped tail. Both males and females have horns, but the males’ horns are longer and heavier. They prefer short-grass plains in the fynbos plant kingdom. Breeding season occurs between January and mid-March, with ewes becoming sexually active at two years old. Calves are born between September and October after a gestation period of 238-254 days. Bonteboks are social animals, active during the day. During breeding season, rams defend a small nursery of two to eight females and their young. Young males form large bachelor herds. Their distinct appearance and behaviour make them a unique part of the African grasslands.

Bontebok
Bontebok

Image Source: Wikimedia

26. Gerenuk

The gerenuk, also known as Waller’s gazelle, is a unique antelope found in the arid thornbush of the Horn of Africa. It is one of the animals known for its long neck, which allows it to reach high branches for food. The gerenuk is about 80-105 cm tall at the shoulder and weighs between 28-52 kg. It has two two-tones of colouration, with a buff body and a reddish-brown saddle. This antelope’s diet is enriched with moisture, allowing it to survive in areas where water is scarce. Its population density can increase with distance from permanent water sources. The gerenuk benefits from the expansion of thornbush habitats, which has increased due to grassland degradation from drought and overgrazing. This expansion provides more habitat for the gerenuk, offsetting habitat loss from clearing, cultivation, and overhunting in other parts of its range.

Gerenuk
Gerenuk

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