Family Rhinocerotidae
Indian rhinoceros
Rhinoceros unicornis Vulnerable
About
The Indian rhinoceros is a rhinoceros species native to the Indian subcontinent. Its thick skin is grey-brown with pinkish skin folds. It has a single horn on its snout that grows up to 57.2–61.6 cm (22.5–24.3 in) long. Its upper legs and shoulders are covered in wart-like bumps, and it is nearly hairless aside from the eyelashes, ear fringes and tail brush.
Classification trail
Habitat
The Indian rhino is a herbivorous grazer that travels established, tunnel-like paths through its tall-grass habitat.
Diet
It grasps tall grasses with its prehensile lip. In addition to grass, rhinos eat fruit, leaves, and sometimes farm crops.
Lifespan
Females give birth to a single calf after a gestation of 15.7 months. The birth interval is 34–51 months. Captive individuals can live up to 47 years where as expected lifespan in the wild is around 40 years.
Size / weight
It is the second largest living rhinoceros and the largest in Asia, with adult males weighing 2.07–2.2 t (2.04–2.17 long tons; 2.28–2.43 short tons) and adult females 1.6 t (1.6 long tons; 1.8 short tons).
Interesting facts
Sadly the prominent horn for which these rhinos are so well known has also been their downfall. Many animals have been killed for this hard, hair-like growth, which is revered for unfounded medicinal use in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The horn is also valued in North Africa and the Middle East as an ornamental dagger handle.
Rhino horns are made entirely of keratin, the exact same structural protein that makes up human hair, fingernails, and animal hooves.
Geographic range
Biological distribution from the active IUCN spatial assessment.
Photos
Places to see this animal
Safari Park
West Midlands Safari Park
West Midlands Safari Park is a fantastic, award-winning visitor attraction, located in the heart of England.