Rhino horn

Rhino hom comes from the rhinoceros, of the family Rhinocerotidae. There are five species of rhino extant today. Three of the species carry two horns in tandem on the nose, the hom at the firont usually being larger. The remaining two species carry only one hom on the end of the nose. 

Horn fi om the rhino is different firom other types of hom, as it is composed entirely of compacted strands of keratin, so that it is solid with no bony core. Other types of hom are thin sheaths of homy material covering a bony core. Rhinos horns grow throughout the animals lives, and can regrow if broken or damaged. They grow om the skin on the animals noses (Fig. 6.1). 

Rhino used to live worldwide but now only inhabit Afiica and parts of Asia. There are five species left, all of them severely under threat of extinction. Their horns are all similar in shape and colour, curving very slightly ftom a broad base to a pointed tip. The horns are used pardy for fighting, but mostly for foraging. 

The African white rhino, Ceratotherium simutn, is an animal second in size only to the elephant. It inhabits the Afirican savannahs and has two horns (Fig. 6.1). The larger one in front has been known to reach a length of 1.5 metres. 

The Afiican black rhino, Diceros bicomis, is smaller, and also bears two horns. It inhabits forests and scmbland. 

---

Amin, Rajan, Max Bramer, and Richard Emslie. Intelligent Data Analysis for Conservation Experiments With Rhino Horn Fingerprint Identification. Knowledge-Based Systems 16 (2003) 329-336. 

Rhinoceros horns are composed of densely compressed hair-like fibers over a stubby bone core that is part of the skull. They are composed of a dense growth of epidermal cells and dermal papillae, which are similar to thick hair. These are not really true hairs, since they do not grow from a follicle in the skin. Unlike the sheath-like horns of cattle and buffalo, rhino horns are mosdy solid. 

While rhinoceros horn has been used in powdered form as an aphrodisiac, most of the horns harvested are used for either ornamental or medicinal purposes. Rhino horn is a popular carving material, particularly for handles on daggers and other weapons. In Asia, powdered rhino horn is a remedy against fever. 

Vertebrates Mammals Study skins, pelts, mounted specimens (taxidermy), whole or partial skeletons, teeth, wet-preserved animals, parts, or stomach contents, eggs, nests Ivory, ruminant horn, rhino horn, antler, bone, claws, skin (leather, vellum), hair (bristles, quills, fur) hooves... 

Rhino horn consists basically of keratin, as do other varieties of horn, and therefore, in theory, could be treated in many of the same ways as other horn and be moulded or pressed to a desired shape. In practice, this has not happened, due to the very high value of rhino horn, and because it is solid. 

Old rhino horn objects have often been mounted widi silver or silver-gilt. 

In powdered form rhino horn is used as an ingredient in medicines, notably to neutralise poison and to bring down vers. 

Under magnification, rhino horn displays a very fine, tube-like pattern, appearing as lines in longitudinal section, and a compact pattern of tubes in cross-section (Fig. 6.2). 

In thin sections of a carving, rhino horn can appear almost translucent. 

The type of item under examination may give some indication as to the material used. For example, rhino horn was often used to make ornamental drinking cups. Intricate workmanship is also indicative of a valuable material (Fig. 6.3). 

Unless weighted, plastic is lighter than rhino horn. Some woods are of a similar weight to the horn however, wood has a different and slightly drier feel. 

There are no chemical tests for use on rhino horn, and very little else that can help with its identification. However, the material is so unique that it should not be necessary to undertake more than a visual examination. 

Burning. Any result would not be conclusive, as rhino horn will bum with the same smell as other hom types. This is also a destmc-tive test and is not recommended. 

Rhino horn is still much in demand as an ingredient in Far Eastern medicines, notably in China. Powdered rhino horn has a value that far exceeds that of either cocaine or gold. The popular misconception is that rhino horn is used solely as an aphrodisiac. In truth, that is only one of its uses, as it is an ingredient in medicines for various ailments. One notable use is as a medicine to reduce fevers in children, which makes the continued demand for the powdered horn rather more understandable. 

When animal numbers get low, the natural mortality rate may overtake the birth rate and the creature will die out, no matter how well the hunting bans have been observed. All species of rhino are therefore considered to be at risk, and it is unlikely that rhino horn will again be available to buy. 

Rhino horn has a different history to that of other horn types. Afiican rhinos were unknown until the mid-nineteenth century, but Indian rhinos were tamed and used to pull ploughs. They were also sent into battle where it was believed that their skin was bulletproof, because it was thick and hung in folds. 

Rhino horn Mid-brown with fine stripes Only in thin sections, e.g. of fine carving Longitudinal striations Not possible Mosdy inert. Some fluorescence on outer surface... 

The outermost layer of skin is dead. The underlying dermal layer of the skin is continually dividing and producing cells that die, dehydrate, and keratinize. The process of keratinization involves the buildup of keratin in the epithelial cell layer. Keratin is a fibrous protein that is found not only in the upper levels of skin but also in nails, hooves, and even rhino horn. Bundles of keratin filaments are tough and, equally important, are insoluble in water. Consequentially, you can consider the keratinized layer of your skin to be, for the most part, a watertight boundary between you and the outside world. 

---