Definition
ossicones
noun
- A pair of horn-like bony protrusions on the head of a giraffe, consisting of a core of bone covered with skin and hair.
Usage: plural form; singular is 'ossicone'; zoological term; used in scientific and educational contexts
Examples
- The giraffe's ossicones are used for species and sex recognition.
- Male giraffes have larger and more prominent ossicones than females.
- Unlike true horns, ossicones are covered with skin and fur rather than keratin.
- The ossicones of a giraffe continue to grow throughout its lifetime.
- Scientists study ossicone development to understand giraffe evolution.