Ram horns are a defensive tool for sheep against predators, and also a primary tool for competing for mates and territory. Rams typically have large, spiraled horns, but what about ewes? Do ewes have horns? Details are as follows:
Do ewes have horns?
The vast majority of ewes do not have horns. Only a very few breeds of ewes have horns, but the horns are very small and curve upwards and outwards.
What are the functions of sheep horns?
1. Self-defense
Ram horns can be used for self-defense. Just like wild beasts have sharp claws and teeth, and turtles have hard shells, ram horns are a way for rams to protect themselves.
2. Courtship
Ram horns are weapons used by adult rams to display their strength during courtship. To compete for a mate, two rams will attack each other with their horns, colliding them and making a sound, until one ram wins and gains the right to mate.
3. Record age
A sheep's horns are also a symbol of its age, just like the annual rings of a tree or the rings on a tortoise's shell. The specific calculation method is to count the number of "ridges" on the horn from the base upwards. If there is one ridge, plus the one concave part at the base, it means the sheep is 2 years old; two ridges mean 3 years old; three ridges mean 4 years old, and so on.
4. Economic Use
Goat horns, such as those of goats and antelopes, can be used in medicine. They contain a large amount of calcium phosphate and keratin, as well as various natural medicinal components, making them particularly valuable for medicinal purposes. In addition, goat horns can be processed into many handicrafts , such as combs, necklaces, beauty scraping pads, rings, prayer beads, wind chimes, cups, etc., making them widely used in the economy.
