These animals use their excellent peripheral vision to protect themselves from predators while grazing. Horns or antlers found on a skull bear evidence of how the animal defended itself, won mates and communicated. Animals can protect themselves or attack the animals by gouging them with their horns or antlers. Horns are permanent structures that are retained year after year. Both male and female bovid animals may have horns.
Antlers are temporary and are shed each year.
With the exception of female caribou, only male deer have antlers. The massive, tightly curled horns of the mountain sheep and the heavy horns of the muskox are used in ritual combat when males fight for females. As you can see, skulls can tell you a great deal about their owners.