What is a tahr?
A tahr is a wild mountain animal that looks a bit like a big goat. Tahrs live on steep rocks and have strong legs to climb.
What are horns?
Horns are hard, curved parts that grow from the top of a tahr's head. They are as hard as our fingernails or a cow's horn.
How are horns like a weapon?
- Tahrs use their horns to protect themselves if a predator comes. They can push, block, or butt an enemy with their horns.
- Male tahrs also gently fight other males when they want to be the boss. They hit heads and push with their horns to see who is stronger.
How are horns like decoration?
- Big, strong horns make a tahr look impressive. Other tahrs can see the horns and know that animal is big and healthy.
- Showing off horns helps tahrs make friends and get noticed in the herd, a bit like wearing a crown.
Why both weapon and decoration?
The horns do two jobs at once. They help keep the tahr safe and also tell other tahrs who is strong. Often the horns are used first to show off, and only used to fight if needed. That way the herd decides a leader without lots of hurting.
Fun idea: Pretend you have horns like a tahr. Would you use them to protect your friends or to show you are brave?