Explore the world of these vulnerable species, understand their unique challenges, and immerse yourself in books, documentaries, and online discussions.
Share newfound knowledge on social media with informative hashtags such as #WorldRhinoDay and #SaveTheRhino amplifies the message of conservation.
Join fundraising events or donate to respected conservation groups like the IRF or your local sanctuaries.
Finally, volunteer to care for baby rhinos in local zoos and national parks.
Did you know that there are five species of rhino? There are two African rhino species (white and black rhinos), and the remaining are Asian rhino species (Indian, Sumatran, and Javan).
White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum): White rhinos are the largest rhino species, with two horns, the front one usually longer. They live in southern Africa, mainly South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Kenya.
Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis): Black rhinos have pointed upper lips and two horns. They are more solitary and aggressive behavior compared to the white rhino. Historically, black rhino populations ranged across much of sub-Saharan Africa. Still, due to poaching and habitat loss, their numbers have drastically declined, and they are now mainly found in eastern and southern Africa.
Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis): The Indian rhinos, or greater one-horned rhinos, are the second-largest rhino species and have a single horn. They live in grasslands and swamps in Nepal and northeastern India.
Sumatran Rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis): The Sumatran rhino is the smallest and most critically endangered rhino species. They have thick, reddish-brown hair and two horns. Their populations scatter across fragmented forests in Indonesia (Sumatra and Borneo) and Malaysia.
Javan Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus): The Javan rhino is the world's most critically endangered mammal and has a single horn, typically shorter than the Indian rhino's horn. Javan rhinos are found only on the island of Java in Indonesia (specifically in Ujung Kulon National Park), with a tiny population also existing in Vietnam's Cat Tien National Park.
Rhinos rank second as the largest and heaviest terrestrial animal. The white rhino tips the scales at 5,000 pounds. The smallest rhino species is still significantly large and weighs around 1,870 pounds.
Though confusing, the names of white and black rhinos don't reflect their actual color. The 'White Rhino' name resulted from a quirky misunderstanding by early English settlers in South Africa. They misheard the Afrikaans' wyd' (meaning 'wide') as 'white' when referring to the animal. However, 'wyd' actually referred to the rhino's wide, flat mouth.
Meanwhile, the 'Black Rhino' received its name as a simple contrast to the 'White Rhino,' not because of color differences. Some speculate that this may be due to their tendency to roll in mineral-rich mud, making their skin appear darker.
Our next rhinoceros fact talks about the animal’s name origin.
The term "rhinoceros" originates from two Greek words: "rhinos," meaning "nose," and "keras," meaning "horn." These animals have a prominent horn on their nose, which gives them their name. However, these horns aren't just decorative; they serve as the rhino's first line of defense. Black, white, and Sumatran rhinoceroses have two horns, with the larger one being called the anterior horn, and can grow up to 59 inches.
The posterior horn is shorter and can grow up to 22 inches. Besides self-defense, rhino horns are also for practical purposes such as digging for water and breaking branches2. Indian and Javan rhinos use their single horns in the same way.
Though rhinos are overwhelmingly big, they are proud herbivores3. These giants live in habitats that offer vast vegetation like forests, savannas, grasslands, and floodplains of Africa and Asia. Specific diets vary across species. White rhinos are grazers, relying mainly on grasses in savannas and grasslands. With their wide lips, they are well-suited for grazing on short grasses.
On the other hand, Black rhinos are browsers, preferring leaves, shoots, and branches of trees and shrubs in savannas and woodlands. Their pointed upper lip enables them to be highly selective in food choices. Indian rhinos have a more diverse diet than African rhinos (black and white rhinos). They eat various plants, fruits, and aquatic vegetation.
Sumatran rhinos are also browsers, feeding on a wide range of vegetation in dense forest habitats, including leaves, fruits, twigs, and bark. Lastly, Javan rhinos, found in the tropical rainforests of Java, are mainly browsers, consuming leaves, fruits, shoots, and other low-growing vegetation. Due to their critically endangered status and limited distribution, limited information is available on their specific dietary preferences.
You read that right. The Indian Rhino is semi-aquatic and a gifted swimmer. They thrive in habitats near water sources, such as marshlands, grasslands, and alluvial floodplain forests. The Indian Rhino uses water as a defense mechanism to escape potential threats. Swimming also allows them to move between different areas and access abundant vegetation, including aquatic plants, reeds, and grasses growing near the water.
These adorable giants are intelligent and resourceful. When it gets too hot, rhinos dip in muddy puddles to cool their bodies. Once the mud dries, it acts as a natural sunscreen. African savannas can reach 30 degrees Celsius during summer, which is quite hot. Unlike their peers, rhinos don't have fur or feathers to protect them from the scorching heat. They must utilize whatever is available to adapt.
However, it doesn't end there. They also cover themselves with mud to drive away flies, parasites, and bugs. Genius!
You might often find rhinos taking their afternoon nap under a tree. They're not slacking off, trust me. This siesta is a significant part of their daily routine, a much-needed break during the intense afternoon heat. Napping is an effective way of conserving energy. They are most active at dawn and dusk, keeping their afternoons free for that all-important power nap.
Aside from their horns, the rhinoceros fact below talks about another prominent feature of these animals.
Their skin is thick (up to two inches) and wrinkly. It acts as a natural armor against threats, shielding them from thorny bushes, rough branches, and the scorching sun. Furthermore, the folds on rhino skin aid in thermoregulation and easy mobility.
So what made their skin thick? The thickness of rhino skin results from a dense layer of collagen fibers. Collagen is a fibrous protein that provides structural support and strength to various tissues in the body. In rhinos, this collagen layer is particularly well-developed, offering robust protection against physical impacts and external injuries.
Another contributing factor is the presence of a thick layer of subcutaneous fat. This layer acts as insulation and further enhances the skin's durability. However, it's important to note that though thick, their skin is extremely sensitive. That's why they use their mud sunscreen.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__mnn__images__2019__04__eastern_white_rhino_black_rhino-ecaf55c632fd47ec97031c15bde87ea5.png)
