Shortly after federal authorities took down a national college admissions scam in March, officials at USC launched their own investigation with emails to dozens of students.
They did not mince words: The school wanted to know whether the 33 students had lied on their applications to USC. Some of the students understood what was happening because their parents had been charged in the federal case. Others were in the dark.
The reason for the emails would soon become clear to them all. They had been linked to William “Rick” Singer, the confessed leader of the admissions con, and they now faced expulsion, depending on what university investigators discovered.
Username: Tumake_Chai Published on 2020-07-03 15:30:24 ID NUMBER: 2230
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.
Did you know that rhinos use their poop to communicate important information1? The distinctive scent in their feces contains chemical signals that convey their sex, age, reproductive status, and territorial boundaries. When one rhino encounters these scent markings, it can learn crucial details about the other rhino, helping it to assess potential mates or rivals and avoid unnecessary conflicts.
In addition, rhinos also use vocalizations, body language, and physical interactions to communicate with each other. Grunts, snorts, and trumpeting vocalizations serve various social purposes, including mating displays, warning signals, and expressions of distress. Physical interactions, such as headbutting and body leaning, also help rhinos establish dominance, hierarchies, and social bonds within their community.
Rhinos have one of the longest gestation periods in mammals. They give birth to their calf after 15 to 16 months. The reason? This extended period is likely because they carry a much larger baby that requires more time and energy to develop. A newborn rhino calf can weigh between 88 to 140 pounds. Typically, rhino babies stay with their mothers for up to three years.
Their tenacity allows them to see decades, living an average of 40 to 50 years. This is even true in harsh conditions where these sturdy creatures face intense heat, droughts, and fluctuating food supply. Evolution has gifted them with adaptable digestive systems, letting them make do with dry grass and shrubs during lean times.
Then there are our captive rhinos. Here, they find themselves tucked away from danger, living under the vigilant eyes of caretakers. In zoos and sanctuaries, rhinos live even longer, reaching up to 60 years. Regular meals, clean water, and timely medical intervention are pivotal in extending their lifespan. Yet, while their days may be longer, it's crucial to remember that the safety of captivity can never substitute the vibrancy and diversity of life in the wild.
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.
Did you know that rhinos use their poop to communicate important information1? The distinctive scent in their feces contains chemical signals that convey their sex, age, reproductive status, and territorial boundaries. When one rhino encounters these scent markings, it can learn crucial details about the other rhino, helping it to assess potential mates or rivals and avoid unnecessary conflicts.
In addition, rhinos also use vocalizations, body language, and physical interactions to communicate with each other. Grunts, snorts, and trumpeting vocalizations serve various social purposes, including mating displays, warning signals, and expressions of distress. Physical interactions, such as headbutting and body leaning, also help rhinos establish dominance, hierarchies, and social bonds within their community.
Rhinos have one of the longest gestation periods in mammals. They give birth to their calf after 15 to 16 months. The reason? This extended period is likely because they carry a much larger baby that requires more time and energy to develop. A newborn rhino calf can weigh between 88 to 140 pounds. Typically, rhino babies stay with their mothers for up to three years.
Their tenacity allows them to see decades, living an average of 40 to 50 years. This is even true in harsh conditions where these sturdy creatures face intense heat, droughts, and fluctuating food supply. Evolution has gifted them with adaptable digestive systems, letting them make do with dry grass and shrubs during lean times.
Then there are our captive rhinos. Here, they find themselves tucked away from danger, living under the vigilant eyes of caretakers. In zoos and sanctuaries, rhinos live even longer, reaching up to 60 years. Regular meals, clean water, and timely medical intervention are pivotal in extending their lifespan. Yet, while their days may be longer, it's crucial to remember that the safety of captivity can never substitute the vibrancy and diversity of life in the wild.
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