Why do some antlers and horns curve and others are straight?

Why is it that when the horns/antlers get longer the curve on some animals? What makes them do that?

Why do some antlers and horns curve and others are straight?
As hammer said antlers and horns are different and the shape depends on the species, Horns for stabbing tend to be more slender and pointed as well as straighter. This causes them to flex less when stabbed into something. Horns for butting tend to be stronger and more curved, because they hit with the front edge of the horn.





When animals are younger they do not have the strength or mass for butting. So straighter stabbing and poking horns work better for them for defense. As the animal reaches maturity a stabbing horn may break in a wrestling contest with another male so the horn thickens and curves. Besides it is safer to wrestle then for two bulls to try to impale each other.
Reply:The curvature is due to the growth of bone inside the horn. It grows faster on one side (the outer edge) than the other. The result is the horn curves. Report It

Reply:There is a difference between a horn and an antler. A horn is a bony structure that is made up of mostly keratin. A horn is anchored to the skull and is permanent and will grow according to the species and will grow unchanged unless altered by humans or by being scared from fighting. An antler is a structure that is bony but has no keratin. Grows very fast and grows from the outside in. This covering is a vascular skin called Velvet. This velvet will peel off when the antler reaches it growth limit. When the velvet is lost the antler will harden and die. This dead structure is an antler. A true antler will drop off each year and a new one will replace it. The curving of the two depends on the species of animal.
Reply:Genetics and nutrients. Also human interaction can effect shape. An example of this is the Hereford breed of cattle actually has it%26#039;s horns wieghted to curve down instead of out.



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