Sep 22, 2024
There are five rhino species: two African (black and white) and three Asian (greater one-horned, Sumatran, Javan). Black, Javan, and Sumatran rhinos are critically endangered, while the white rhino is near threatened, and the greater one-horned is vulnerable.
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Sumatran rhinos are the smallest, weighing up to 600 kg (almost 95 stone). In contrast, white rhinos are the heaviest, reaching up to 3,500kg—over 550 stone or 3 tonnes! It's remarkable given their herbivorous diet of grass and leaves.
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Rhinos have poor eyesight and would struggle to see a still person even 30 metres away. However, they compensate for this with a sharp sense of smell, which helps them navigate their surroundings and detect threats effectively.
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Despite their names, both black and white rhinos are actually grey. The term 'white' rhino comes from the Afrikaans word 'wyd' (wide), referring to its broad lip. Early explorers misheard it as 'white,' naming the species, while 'black' was used to differentiate the two.
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Male rhinos are known as 'bulls', females as 'cows', and their young are called 'calves'. Females are usually more sociable, while males are more solitary and territorial. A group of rhinos is referred to as a ‘crash’, adding to their fascinating social structure.
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Rhino horns are made of keratin, the same protein found in our hair and nails. Javan and greater one-horned rhinos have one horn, while others have two. Their horns grow throughout life, with white rhinos' horns growing up to 7 cm yearly, reaching a record 150cm in length!
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The last wild Javan rhinos live in Ujung Kulon National Park, but their habitat is threatened by an active volcano and the risk of a tsunami. A disaster could wipe out 80% of their territory, making it vital to establish a second safe population in Indonesia.
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Rhinos use honks, sneezes, and even poo to communicate. Black rhinos snort when angry, scream when scared, and make a 'mmwonk' sound when relaxed. They also leave poo in shared areas called latrines, where they can smell and identify others in the vicinity.
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Rhinos enjoy rolling in mud to create a protective coat that cools them down, wards off insects, and eliminates parasites. While Asian rhinos swim effortlessly across rivers, their African counterparts struggle in deep water, preferring to wallow in mud to stay cool.
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Rhinos face grave danger, with poaching rising since 2008. In 2022, 448 were killed in Africa—over one daily. Sophisticated methods, including helicopters, are used. Habitat loss and climate change also threaten their survival, pushing them closer to extinction.
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