What are rhino's horn made of?

The story behind the answer

Rhino horns are made of keratin—the same tough protein that forms human hair and nails. Unlike antlers (which are bone) or elephant tusks (ivory/dentin), a rhino’s horn is a dense mass of compressed keratin fibers without a bony core. It grows continuously from the skin, much like hair, and can partly regrow if removed correctly.

Why it matters: Misconceptions fuel poaching. Rhino horn has no proven medicinal value; it’s essentially “hair protein,” not bone or ivory. Memory tip: Think “keratin = keratinized hair and nails,” so rhino horn = super‑compressed hair. This difference also helps distinguish animal structures: antlers = bone, bovids’ horns = bone core with keratin sheath, rhino horn = all keratin.