Image by Glen Carrie, Unsplash
Introduction of Rhinoceros
Rhinoceros is a giant, horn-bearing herbivore land mammal.
The total population of all rhinoceros species is around 30,000, and these animals are confined to eastern and southern Africa and subtropical and tropical Asia.
Most Rhinos are solitary. However, white rhinoceroses tend to live in groups of up to 10 animals.
Rhinoceros has an acute sense of smell and hearing but poor eyesight.
The Rhinoceros family has five species, namely, Black Rhinoceros, White Rhinoceros, Indian Rhinoceros, Sumatran Rhinoceros, and Javan Rhinoceros.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has designated the Sumatran, Javan, and Black rhinoceros as "Critically Endangered." White rhinos as "Near Threatened" and One-horned Rhinos as "Vulnerable".
Scientific Name of Rhinoceros
Indian Rhino: Rhinoceros unicornis
Javan Rhino: Rhinoceros sondaicus
Sumatran Rhino: Dicerorhinus sumatrensis
Black Rhino: Diceros bicornis
White Rhino: Ceratotherium simum
Physical Description of the Rhinoceros
The rhinoceros is the second-largest land animal. It has a strong, cylindrical body with a large head and short legs and large, pointy horns mid face.
Javan and one-horned rhinos are having single horn whereas other types of rhinos also have a second, smaller horn.
Both black and white rhinos are grey in colour.
Rhino species vary in terms of length and weight.
The largest rhino species, the white rhino, can grow to 12 to 13 feet long and up to 6 feet in height and weighs around 3,300 kilograms.
The smallest rhino species, the Sumatran rhino, can grow up to 8 to 10 feet in length and close to 4.8 feet in height. It weighs somewhere around 800 kg.
The life cycle of the Rhinoceros
Rhinoceroses' lifespans vary depending on the species.
A rhino's lifespan is usually 40 to 45 years.
The species has a low reproductive rate.
Female rhinoceroses do not conceive unless they are six years of age.
Calves consume milk for upto 2.5 years
Male calves stay with their mother for 3 years or up to the birth of the next baby. Female calves may stay with their mother even after the next birth.
Characteristics of the Rhinoceros
Rhino horns are made of keratin, a protein found in hair and nails.
They defend themselves with their teeth, not their horns.
Poaching is a point of great concern since the horns are highly sought-after.
Rhinos have no natural predators in the wildlife.
The animal can run between 40 and 55 kilometres per hour.
Female Rhinos or cow rhinos are more social than highly territorial male rhinos or bulls.
A group of rhinos are also called Crash of Rhino
The animal communicates using infrasonic frequencies that fall below the threshold of human hearing. These frequencies help them stay in touch with one another.
Rhinos use their poo and urine as another effective communication medium
To stay cool, prevent flies from biting, and parasites, rhinos will sometimes roll around in the mud, creating a sort of protective mud layer.
The one-horned rhinos can swim, and even can cross the river easily. They are also seen driving underwater.
Diet of Rhinoceros
Leafy and grassy vegetation, as well as fruits, and roots, make up the bulk of a rhino's diet.
To stay healthy, white rhinos need to consume as much as 120 pounds of food per day.
Rhinos can sustain without water for as much as five days
