New data on horn morphology of the woolly rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis Blumenbach, 1799)

Macro- and microstructure of the Woolly Rhinoceros nasal horn from the collection of the Ice Age Museum was studied. The horn strength and resistance to mechanical damage is provided by the specific structure and connection between unique keratin compartments of the horn, the filaments. The heterogeneous structure of the horn was revealed in the horizontal section at different points. The central part of the horn is denser and more resistant to fracture compared with the peripheral one, and its filaments are larger and stronger united. The complex system ensuring the safety and functionality of the horn is an adaptive feature of this species.