| Rhinoceros, Great Indian | |||
| Order | Perissodactyla | ||
| Family | Rhinocerotidae | ||
| Genus | Rhinoceros | ||
| Species | unicornis | ||
| Status | Endangered | ||
| Number Left | fewer than 1,600 in the world | ||
| Habitat | The Indian rhino lives in dense growths of tall elephant grass in swampy areas near rivers. It will wallow in shallow water and mud to keep cool during the daytime, but may head for higher ground in search of food. | ||
| Distribution | Now limited to ten locations in India and two in Nepal; India, Nepal | ||
| Height | 3-7 feet (142-185 cm) | ||
| Length | 7-14 feet (310-381 cm) | ||
| Weight | 3,300-4,850 pounds (1588-2200 kg) | ||
| Behavior | Indian rhinos are usually solitary animals, but can gather up to thirty animals in one grazing area. They will share common bathing pools, wallows, and dung heaps, but have their own feeding and sleeping areas, which are typically 5000 square yards. They do not have large territories and can usually be found in the same area day after day. The rhino's natural enemies are crocodiles and tigers. Male rhinos often damage or break off their horns during battle with other males. Fighting usually takes place when defending territory or during mating season. Rhinos remain underwater during the hottest part of the day. Wallowing in water protects them from biting insects and prevents overheating. In the morning, the rhinos feed in open areas, and slowly move toward cover as the sun rises. Rhinos come into contact with one another when traveling to wallows and bathing pools, and new arrivals are usually challenged by those already there. At dusk, the rhinos will move again to feeding areas and graze until midnight. After some rest, females and young calves move to the tall grass to protect young from tigers. The others are too big to fear predators and lie down wherever they happen to be feeding. | ||
| Diet | The rhino eats new plant growth, elephant grass, bamboo shoots, water hyacinths, and a variety of crops which cause them to be a nuisance to farmers. They will also eat grass, twigs, wheat, lentils, and potatoes. | ||
| Feeding | The Indian rhinocerous is mainly a grazing animal. It will move around constantly to serach for fresh plant growth. Although Indian rhinos can look ferocious, they are gentle and herbivorous. They have developed special, long and narrow lips to grab branches or eat mouthfuls of grass. They have poor eyesight but an excellent sense of smell which helps them locate their favorite plants. | ||
| Communication | Rhinos will make social grunts and snorts, and females whistle when in season. | ||
| Breeding | The female rhinoceros is ready to mate for 24 hours every 5-8 weeks. She attracts males by spraying urine and by making a gentle whistling sound. The female will seek dense cover when she is about to give birth. The newborn calf weighs about 150 lbs. and stays with its mother until the birth of her next offspring, between 18 motnhs and 2 years later. The baby rhino begins to graaze at 2 months, but will continue to suckle for at least a year. | ||
| Sexual Maturity | Males 7-9 years; Females, 3 years | ||
| Gestation | 462-489 days | ||
| No. of Young | 1 calf | ||
| Lifespan | About 50 years | ||
| Conservation | Rhinos do damage to crops while man does damage to the rhino's natural food supply - elephant grass. Villagers from Nepal use elephant grass for walls and roofs of their houses, and are allowed to collect grass in nationlal parks at certain times of the year. This arrangement allows for new growth of grass, which benefits rhinos. Rhino are also killed for their horns, which have been valuable trade items for centuries. In some Asian countries, rhino horns are believed to hold medicinal powers. They are ground into powder and used in many different folk medicines. A good-sized horn could be worth over $20,000. Most of the remaining rhinos live in the Kaziranga Nature Reserve in north-eastern India. Wild Indian rhinos are only found in the marshlands surrounding the Brahmaputra River. India's growing population also forces rhinos out of their homes. The Indian rhinoceros survives only in protected areas. Its population, however, is rising steadily and is not in danger of extnction. In two national parks, rhinos have abeen successfully moved into protected areas within their former range. | ||
| Interesting Facts | Rhinos horns are not made of bone but of many hairlike fibers, which are massed together on a bony patch on the rhino's forehead. Both males and females have horns that can measure up to 18 inches (46 cm). The animal has thick, dark gray skin that falls in distinct folds at the shoulder joints and flanks, which gives it the appearance of wearing armor. The Javan rhino, Rhinoceros sondaicus is its closest relative. The white rhino and the black rhino have two horns. The white rhino's front horn is about 24 inches in length, but it can reach more than 60 inches. The black rhino's front horn averages 20 inches. | ||
| Animal Communication Panel | |||
