Rhinos are part of the group of the largest mammals on Earth, generally weighing more than a ton. Although with certain variations between one species and another, they seem to be endowed with armor that, together with the presence of one or two horns, gives them their particular appearance. They are animals that are usually quite solitary and territorial, uniting only for reproduction or when a female keeps her young close to her until her independence.
Rhinoceros Characteristics
Although each species of rhinoceros has particular characteristics that allow it to be differentiated, there are some common traits between the various groups, which we will learn about next:
- Classification: Rhinoceroses belong to the order Perissodactyls, the suborder Ceratomorphs, and the family Rhinocerotidae.
- Fingers: being a perissodactyl species, they have an odd number of fingers, in this case three, the central one being more developed, which serves as main support. All toes end in hooves.
- Weight: Rhinoceroses reach large body masses, weighing at least almost 1,000 kg. At birth, depending on the species, they weigh between 40 and 65 kg.
- Skin: they have quite thick skin, formed by a set of tissues or layers of collagen that, in total, come to measure up to 5 cm thick.
- Horn: A rhino's horn is not an extension of its skull, so it lacks bony compounds. On the contrary, it is made up of fibrous keratin tissue, which can grow depending on the sex and age of the animal.
- Vista: they have a poor sense of sight, not their sense of smell and hearing, which they use to a greater extent.
- Digestive system: they have a simple digestive system, which is not divided into chambers, so that digestion is carried out in a simple way. postgastric in the large intestine and caecum.
Rhino feeding
The food of rhinos is based exclusively on plants, so they are herbivorous animals, which must ingest high contents of matter plant to support their large bodies. Each species of rhinoceros has a preference for a particular type of herbivorous feeding, some even go as far as tearing down trees to consume their newer, greener leaves.
The white rhinoceros, for example, has a preference for grasses or non-woody plants, leaves, roots and, if available, may include small woody plants. Instead, the black rhinoceros feeds mainly on bushes, leaves, and low branches of trees. For its part, the Indian rhinoceros makes it from herbs, leaves, tree branches, riparian plants, fruits and even on some occasions from plantations
The Javan rhinoceros is capable of felling trees to take advantage of the newest shoots and also feeds on a wide variety of plants, thanks to their availability in the habitat of this species. Likewise, it includes the consumption of fallen fruits As for the Sumatran rhinoceros, it bases its diet on leaves, branches, tree bark, seeds and small trees.
For more information, you can consult this other article on What do rhinos eat?
Where do rhinos live?
Each species of rhinoceros lives in a particular habitat that will depend on the region or country in which it is located, being able to live both in arid and tropical habitats. In this sense, the white rhinoceros that inhabits much of northern and southern Africa, is distributed mainly in dry savannah areas, such as grasslands, or in wooded savannahsThe black rhinoceros is also found in Africa, with populations quite small or probably extinct in countries such as Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, and the ecosystems in which it usually inhabits are made up of arid and semi arid
As for the Indian rhinoceros, it formerly had a larger range that included countries such as Pakistan and China, however, due to human pressures and habitat alteration, it is now limited tograssland and forest areas in Nepal, Assam and India, also to low foothills in the Himalayas.
The Javan rhinoceros, meanwhile, inhabits lowland tropical forests, muddy alluvial plains, and tall grasslands. Although at one time they were widespread in Asia, today the small population is restricted to the island of Java. And for its part, the Sumatran rhinoceros, also with a reduced population (about 300 individuals), can be found in mountainous areas of Malacca, Sumatra and Borneo.
Types of rhinos
Throughout the natural history of the planet, a wide variety of rhinos have existed, however, most have become extinct. Currently, there are five species of rhinos grouped into four genera. Let's find out what they are:
White Rhino
The white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simun) belongs to the genus Ceratotherium and is one of the largest species of rhinos, reaching more than 4 meters long and 2 meters high, weighing 4 tons or more.
Its color is actually light gray and it has two horns. Its mouth is flat and is formed by a wide and thick lip, which is adapted to the vegetation of the savannah.
Two subspecies are recognized: the northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) and the southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum), however, the first species is practically extinct. Overall, the white rhino is in the “Near Threatened” category, after recovering from the “Near Extinct” category due to terrible indiscriminate hunting during years to obtain his horn.
Black Rhino
The black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) is a species belonging to the genus Diceros. It is also typical of the African savannah, but its color is a darker gray and also smallerthan the white rhinoceros. Its prehensile mouth is shaped like a beak, which is adapted to feed directly on the leaves and branches of bushes. They reach an average height of 1.5 meters with more than 3 meters in length and a weight of about 1,400 kilos
There is no consensus as to the number of existing subspecies, which range from four to eight, however some of the recognized are extinct. The black rhino is listed as " critically endangered".
Indian Rhino
The Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) belongs to the Rhinoceros genus, is more than 3 meters long and almost 2 meters tall, and has a single horn Its skin is the color silver brown and its folds give the impression of being protective armor in her body.
A distinctive feature of this species is its ability to swim, since it can spend more time in the water than other types of rhinoceros. On the other hand, it is classified as " vulnerable", since it has also been a victim of hunting to use its horn in popular rituals and for the creation of objects such as daggers.
Java Rhino
The Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus) belongs to the genus Rhinoceros and has been listed as a "critically endangered species", being on the verge of extinctionIn fact, the few remaining individuals are located in a protected area of the island.
They can measure a little over 3 meters long and almost 2 meters high, weighing more than 2 tons The Males have a single horn, while females have a small bump. Its coloration is similar to the Indian rhinoceros, only less intense.
Sumatran Rhino
The Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) is the smallest species of rhinoceros that exists and its genus corresponds to Dicerorhinus, being the which presents traits more primitive than the others. It has two horns and more hair than the rest The males measure a little over a meter, while the females are less than this measure and the average weight is 800 kilos. Poaching has led to the species being considered " critically endangered", since it is also a victim of popular beliefs about its benefits in various conditions.
Rhino Conservation Status
Because all rhinoceros species are in general endangered, their lives depend on the increase and pressure of conservation measures; otherwise, extinction will remain the common path for all.
It is necessary to review popular beliefs, since despite being forms of cultural expression, none is valid if they threaten life of animals, which in many cases leads them to disappear completely. Definitely, this is a job that must be assumed by those who create and apply the laws in the different regions of the planet.
