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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.