Ossicone

Ossicones are special bone structures on the heads of some animals. They look like small horns, but they are covered with skin and fur. The main animals with ossicones are giraffes and okapi.

Giraffes have a pair of ossicones on the top of their heads. Male giraffes often have an extra, larger ossicone in the middle. These ossicones help protect their heads. They are used in gentle head-butting contests between males to show strength.

Scientists study ossicones to learn more about giraffes and their ancient relatives. These special structures help us understand how animals develop unique features to live and communicate in their habitats. Ossicones are found only in the Giraffoidea group, which includes the Giraffidae family and some extinct families like Climacoceratidae.

Here is a list of some animals that have ossicones:

Giraffidae

• †Bramatherium
• †Decennatherium
• Giraffa
• †Giraffokeryx
• †Honanotherium
• †Injanatherium
• †Mitilanotherium
• Okapia
• †Palaeotragus
• †Samotherium
• †Shansitherium
• †Sivatherium

Climacoceratidae

• †Climacoceras
• †Prolibytherium