Unicorns, when you quote this word, you quickly have the image of this white horse with a spiral horn on the forehead. A fantastic animal that populates our tales, our films and our imagination. It is true that there is very little chance of meeting a horn horse … However, unicorns, we can see on our planet. Just open your eyes (and let your imagination speak) …
Pliny the old describes this animal as a “fierce beast” presenting “the body of the horse, the head of the deer, the legs of the elephant and the tail of the wild boar”. The beast has a “serious roar” and a “long and black horn” which “rises in the middle of its forehead”. A whole program … far from our current white unicorn and with the rainbow mane.
In the Middle Ages, unicorns are always hybrid animals. They borrow elements of the body from different animals, but always, of course, remains this long horn in the middle of the forehead. On the other hand, we are still far from the kind and sweet creature … At that time, the unicorn would be a cruel and violent animal. An animal that would even be like the demon!
It was from the 12th century that unicorns became a symbol of purity. They are associated with the passion of Christ and his sign of chastity.
Beneficial animal, unicorn helps to treat. Its horn would serve as antidote against poisons, could purify contaminated water … A real traffic is set up. On the other hand, saying if it is really a magic horse horn, it remains to be seen …
Indeed, for a long time, it was believed that unicorns really existed. Eminent scholars and explorers indeed reported this wild animal during their expeditions to the distant regions, especially in the Indies.
And real animals have made it possible to convey these myths and these beliefs.
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Real horn animals!
The horns of unicorns with many virtues, especially therapeutic, it was necessary to find them! We could therefore actually get horns in the Middle Ages (and unfortunately even today). Where do they come from? Very lively and real animals!
Yes, if we finally take the term “unicorn”, animals with a single horn, we find it!
If we also keep the criterion of India and four legs, we think very quickly of the rhinoceros. And not just any rhinoceros, since there are several species, but the Indian rhinoceros and the rhino of Java. Both have only one horn and are well in the geographic areas from which our explorers returned.
These two rhinos are alike, although Java's rhinoceros is smaller than the Indian rhino. Their horn is made of keratin, just like our nails and our horses. It grows throughout the life of the animal.
The two species are in danger of extinction, but the situation is particularly critical for the rhino of Java. Today, the latter is indeed the rarest mammal in the world. It is estimated that only about fifty individuals survive on the island of Java, in Indonesia. However, until the beginning of the 20th century, this rhinoceros was present throughout Southeast Asia. The disappearance of individuals was lightning …
Another mammal has paid the price for its horn. This one certainly does not have 4 legs, but it provided many “horns of unicorns”. It is the narval, a cetacean, that is to say a marine mammal. They are also nicknamed “sea unicorn”.
This cetacean is famous for its long twisted ivory defense, which can reach 2.5 meters. It is often the males who wear this defense and some even have two. Unlike the rhino, it is not a corneal outgrowth. The Narval horn, like the defenses of the elephants, is actually a tooth, a hypertrophied canine.
Scientists have issued several hypotheses as to the usefulness of this defense. Weapon for hunting, seduction or communication tool … Millions of nerve endings are in this tooth.
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Unicorns hunted for their alleged magical powers
The Java rhinoceros has almost disappeared due to an excessive hunt for its horn with the alleged therapeutic virtues.
Credits: Shutterstock/Pako Grau
Narvals have long been hunted for their defense, sold as a unicorn horn. Today, we no longer believe in unicorns and therefore we hunt these animals much less. However, narvals are still threatened by climate change, pollution, maritime traffic …
On the other hand, the rhinos are the unicorns of today. The virtual disappearance of certain species, such as the Java rhino, is mainly due to overhang and poaching. The stake is of course this horn. A horn that would have therapeutic virtues …
Contrary to what one might think, this trade in rhino horns is not recent. Horn powder is used, as well as the animal's blood and skin for centuries in the Asian pharmacopoeia. It is really this horned trade for medicinal purposes which is largely responsible for the disappearance of Asian rhinos.
And what a business! The horns of these current unicorns would resemble several tens of thousands of euros per kilo! It is more expensive than the kilo of gold! However, this market has been prohibited since 1977, but parallel circuits and poaching remain very present …
Finally, unicorns do exist, and unfortunately for them, we always try to destroy them …
>> Read also: How does poaching influence the evolution of rhinos and elephants
With an unwavering passion for local news, Christopher leads our editorial team with integrity and dedication. With over 20 years’ experience, he is the backbone of Wouldsayso, ensuring that we stay true to our mission to inform.
