Great Indian Rhinoceros
The biblical unicorn may have been a wild ox, but the great Indian rhinoceros is
similar to a unicorn: it has a single horn, usually about 53 cm long, and it is
very hard to find, being among the rarest mammals in the world today.
The best place to see rhino is at Kaziranga Tiger Reserve in rhino safari organized by us.
The Rhino's horn is not a true horn, but consists of compressed hair, and the animal
prefers to defend itself with its canine teeth with which it can make horrible gashes.
Rhinos became extinct in America long ago, and are becoming much scarcer in other
parts of the world, but there are still five species remaining: two in Africa and
three in Asia. They are the largest land mammals after the elephant and weigh from
1,800 to 3,600 kg.
The Indian rhino has well-developed incisor teeth and two long canine teeth in its
lower jaw. It is studded with knob-like tubercles and is unique in having huge folds
of skin at its joints and great rolls at the neck. Together with the large, horny
plates covering its body, the beast appears to be armour plated.
Threatened by continued loss of habitat and poaching, conservation efforts are essential
to ensure this creature's survival. Conservation objectives include: the maintenance
of a wild population of at least 2,000 rhinos in at least six major sanctuaries
in the current range of the species; translocation of animals to create new sanctuaries
and populations; continued anti-poaching efforts; maintenance of a captive population
capable of long-term viability to guard against any unforeseen extinction of the
wild population; and reduction in the demand for rhino products.
General Characteristics
Body Length : 350 cm / 11.7 ft.
Shoulder Height : 180 cm / 6 ft.
Tail Length : 70 cm / 28 in.
Weight : 1.7-2.2 tons
The armour-like hide is thick and tough with many folds, and large, raised bumps
on the neck, shoulders and flanks - a characteristic which differentiates it from
the closely related Javan rhinoceros. The other differential feature is the
neck fold: in the great Indian rhinoceros it does not continue across the back.
The skin is usually brownish, with the interior of the folds slightly pink,
but, due to mud wallowing, the coloration varies with the region's soil colour.
There is little hair on the hide except on the edges of the ears, the eyelashes,
and the tuft on the tail. The triangular upper lip is prehensile. There
is one horn on the nose, though it is usually short and dull, worn down by use.
Ontogeny and Reproduction Gestation Period : 480 days.
Young per Birth : 1
Weaning : At 18 months.
Sexual Maturity : Females at 4 years, males at 9 years.
Life span : 40 years.
Females generally give birth once every three years.
Ecology and Behavior The great Indian rhinoceros is active throughout the day, although
the middle of the day is spent wallowing and resting in the shade. Wallowing
takes place in lakes, rivers, ponds, and puddles, and is especially frequent in
the hot seasons. This activity is believed to be important with thermoregulation
and the control of flies. Drinking occurs almost every day, and mineral licks
are visited regularly. Population densities vary from 0.4-4.85 animals per
square kilometer depending on the habitat. Only the strongest males breed,
and they have home ranges between 2-8 square kilometers in size. These home
ranges are not true territories, and overlap each other. When disturbed, these
rhinos generally flee, though they have been reported attacking, which they do with
their head down. In this fashion, protective mothers kill several people each
year in India. More than 10 distinct vocalizations have been recorded, including
a honk, bleat, trumpet, and roar. Smell is important in communication, with
urine, feces, and glandular secretions carrying the messages.
Family group : Solitary
Diet : Grasses, aquatic plants, twigs, leaves.
Main Predators : Humans, tigers.
Distribution Grasslands and open forests in Nepal and Kaziranga Tiger Reserve in northeastern India.
Conservation Status The great Indian rhinoceros is classified as endangered by the
IUCN (1996). The main source of danger for this (and all) rhinos is the Oriental
belief that its horn, among other parts, has medicinal or magical properties. After
processing [being shaved or powdered] the horn may retail for over $30,000 (U.S.)
per kilogram.
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