Yes, female mountain goats do have horns.
Mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) are known for their striking white coats and impressive horns, and this characteristic is not limited to males. Female mountain goats also possess horns, although they typically differ in appearance from those of males.
According to information regarding horn thickness, while males have thicker horns with less space between them at the base, female horns are thinner and more spindly. This means you can differentiate between male and female mountain goats by looking closely at their horns, even though both sexes have them.
Here's a simple comparison based on horn characteristics mentioned:
- Male Horns: Thicker, less space at the base.
- Female Horns: Thinner, more spindly.
Understanding this difference is useful for identifying individuals within a mountain goat group during observation or research. Both male and female horns are permanent structures made of keratin growing over a bone core and are not shed annually like antlers on deer.
