- Rhinoceros, also known as Rhino, belong to the mammalian order of odd-toed ungulate. Horses, zebras and tapirs are closest relatives of rhinos. Feet and feeding habits of these animals are similar. (Source)
- There are 5 species of rhinos. 2 of these species (white rhino and black rhino) are present in Africa while the other 3 species (Indian rhino, Sumatran rhino and Javan rhino) are in Asia. White rhino and the Indian rhino (both can weigh up to 2,700 kg) are the largest species in Africa and Asia respectively. Sumatran rhino (maximum weight of 1,000 kg) is the smallest of all rhino species. (Source)
- There were 500,000 rhinos in Asia and Africa at the beginning of 20thcentury. Currently, only 29,000 of rhinos are left in the wild. Black rhinos, Javan rhinos and Sumatran rhinos are critically endangered. On the contrary, the number of Indian rhinos has increased from 200 at the start of 20thcentury to 3,700 today. (Source)
- All species of rhinos have purely herbivore diet. They eat grasses, leaves, stems, fruits and variety of plants available in their environment. (Source)
- All the species of rhinos have thick but sensitive skin. Thickness of the skin is helpful to prevent serious injuries. Rhinos roll in mud to protect their sensitive skin from sunburns and insect bites. (Source)
- White rhino, black rhino and Sumatran rhino have two horns each. Indian rhino and Javan rhino have one horn.
- Rhino horns are made of keratin and their structure is similar to horse’s hooves and turtle’s beak. These horns are the main reason behind rhino’s poaching. Horns are considered to treat fever, gout, snakebite, typhoid, headaches and other medical conditions in traditional Chinese medicine. There are also unproven claims that it is sexual stimulant. The largest market of rhino horns is Vietnam where they are used for social status along with other reasons. (Source)
- Adult rhinos have almost no natural predators (except Nile crocodile). Young rhinos can be hunted by big cats (especially lions and tigers), African wild dogs and crocodiles. (Source)
- Rhinos can defend themselves by using their horns, high speed (up to 30 mph) and strong senses of hearing and smell (but their eyesight is weak). (Source)
- According to statistics, hundreds of rhinos are killed every year by poachers. The numbers reached at their peak in 2014 when 1,215 rhinos were killed. Now, there is downward trend in rhino poaching and less than 600 rhinos were killed in 2019 across the globe. (Source)
Black rhino is the fastest among rhinos - Despite having enormous weight, rhinos can run very swiftly. African rhinos are faster than their Asian counterparts. White rhino can reach the speed of 31 mph (50 km/h) while the maximum speed of black rhino is 34 mph (55 km/h). (Source)
- There is mutual beneficial relation between rhinos and red-billed oxpeckers. These birds get their food by eating parasites from rhinos (and many other mammals). In return, the oxpecker alarms rhinos from approaching humans (including poachers). (Source)
- Rhinos communicate through various methods. They do so by: vocalizations (squeaks, snorts, growls etc.), infrasonic communication, breath, scent (dung piles) and body language. (Source)
- Rhinos are present on earth for 50 million years. The largest ever rhino species (5m tall with 20 tons of weight) was also the largest land mammal ever lived on earth. This giant rhino was present on earth around 30 million years ago. (Source)
- Infighting between rhinos is also seen. This infighting can also result in deaths. (Source)
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