What non-defensive/display function might the basal structure of the horns have provided in its swampy habitat?
Answer
Serving as effective shovels for clearing tough reeds
The sheer mass and structural integrity of the horns suggest they could absorb significant impact, useful for confronting predators like large crocodiles. However, given the environment—charging across soft, muddy ground—the impact transmitted through the horn bases might have been more focused on blunt force trauma than piercing. This physical capability could have been repurposed functionally for foraging purposes, perhaps acting as cumbersome shovels to clear dense, tough reeds and vegetation near the water's edge to access softer food sources below.
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