Last updated on July 6th, 2024
The rhinoceros may seem like a remnant of the dinosaurs, but it is a mammal closely related to horses, zebras, and tapirs. Millions of rhinos once roamed Europe, Asia, and Africa. They do not pose threats to humans or other animals, but their economic value led to mass hunts. Rhinos are among the largest animals today, with adults weighing at least 1,000 kilograms. Some are gargantuan at over 3,500 kilograms, equivalent to several dozen men. Their mass limits their endurance, but rhinos are quick over short distances. They can gallop as fast as 50 kilometers per hour. In contrast, Usain Bolt’s top speed is only 44.72 kph.
With these facts about Rhinos, let us learn more about their life and longevity.
Anatomy
1. The rhinoceros means nose-horn in Greek.
The horn consists of keratin – the same substance that makes up human hair and fingernails. They have either one or two bony protrusions, with the tips pointing upward.
2. As tough as nails
Rhino skin is as tough as armor, composed of collagen layers up to 5 centimetres thick. Even the fiercest predators have a hard time penetrating this shield.
3. Height
Rhinos may grow up to six and a half feet tall. They have bulky frames and long bodies, spanning over 15 feet from head to rear.
4. Only 5 species are left
Only five species of rhinoceros remain. Two are endemic to Africa, while three are native to Asia. Colors range from slate gray to reddish brown.
Their 5 species
5. Greater one-horned rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis)
These semi-aquatic rhinos often inhabit forests, swamps, and riversides. They weigh around 1,800 – 2,500 kg and inhabit the area of India and Nepal.
6. Sumatran rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis)
Sumatran rhinos are closely related to the prehistoric woolly rhinos from the Last Ice Age. They weigh around 500 – 960 kg and dwell happily in the areas of Sumatra and Borneo.
7. Javan rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus)
The Javan rhino joins the list of one of the fewest bulky creatures on earth. They weigh around 900 – 2,300 kg and reside in the areas of Java (Indonesia).
8. Black rhino (Diceros bicornis)
These are the minor of the two African species. They weigh around 900 – 1,350 kg and are found in abundance (just 6,487) in the areas of Malawi, Namibia, Kenya, South Africa, Botswana, eSwatini, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
9. White rhino (Ceratotherium simum)
White rhinos are literally ‘mowing-machines’ . These are also called as the Square-lipped rhinos and weigh about 1,800 – 2,700 kg. They share their habitats with Black rhinos as these two are the only species left in African sub continent.
10. The largest living rhino
“Indian rhino” also called as The greater one-horned rhino is the biggest of the 3 rhino species in Asia region. The “White rhino” found in Africa is the largest of the five living species of rhinoceros. But Indian Rhino and White rhino are almost of the same size with White rhino having the front horn 37″ – 79″ long and Indian rhino having the only horn 8″-25″ long.
11. The largest rhino that ever lived
Paraceratherium was one of the biggest mammals to take a stroll on the Earth. Towering 16 feet at the shoulder it weighted some 20 tons.
12. The oldest living Rhino
As on May 22, 2024, the oldest living rhino is Archie, a 54-year-old male southern white rhino residing at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens in Florida. Archie was brought to the Jacksonville Zoo in 1975. Archie recently underwent a successful tooth extraction procedure due to an abscessed tooth, demonstrating the high level of care he receives at the zoo. Born in 1970, Archie has significantly surpassed the median life expectancy for white rhinos, which is typically around 35 years.
13. The largest collection of rhinos in any zoo
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park holds the record for having the largest collection of rhinos in any zoo worldwide. They have the most successful managed-care breeding program for rhinos, with a record of 187 rhino births from three species, including black rhinos, white rhinos, and greater one-horned rhinos.
14. Poor eyesight
Rhinos have poor eyesight, balanced by a sensitive nose and sharp ears. Their failure to see clearly may explain their sudden bouts of aggressive behavior.
15. Horny Misunderstandings
Due to their poor eyesight, rhinos sometimes mistake objects like bushes or rocks for other animals or threats, resulting in some hilarious and harmless charges.
16. Confused Companions
Sometimes, rhinos mistake parked cars for rival rhinos and charge at them. This has led to some unexpected and rather humorous dents in vehicles.
17. Zookeeper Challenges
In zoos, keepers sometimes have to play hide and seek with rhinos to clean their enclosures. Rhinos can be quite territorial, making the job both exciting and amusing.
18. Fashion Statements
In some wildlife reserves, rhinos have been seen wearing tracking collars that look like oversized jewelry, giving them an unexpectedly fashionable appearance.
19. Long gestation period
Rhino gestation lasts for 16 months. Mothers care for their young until they are strong enough to be independent. They can live up to 40 years in the wild.
20. Heavy babies
Baby rhinos, or calves, can weigh between 88-140 pounds (40-64 kg) at birth. They’re essentially giant babies from the get-go!
21. Airlifted to be saved
Conservationists sometimes move rhinos from high-risk areas to spacious safe havens. Translocations usually involve sedation before airlifting via helicopter. Some make their journey on land aboard trucks.
22. They can make various sounds
Rhinos communicate using various sounds. Some snort when angry, and others scream when scared. They may growl to assert dominance during confrontations and signal danger by making sneeze-like calls.
Behaviors
23. Rhinos hate the heat
During the day, they often stay in shaded areas to avoid direct sun exposure. Many sleep or lay still to minimize energy expenditure.
24. They love wallowing in mud
Others might attempt to cool their bodies down by wallowing in mud pools, much like how pigs behave when feeling hot. Rhinos love getting dirty. After all, the mud acts as a natural sunblock and insect repellant.
25. They are loners
Rhinos like their alone time. They have a very “me-time” oriented lifestyle. They avoid each other for most of the year, enjoying the peace of solitude. Some females may live in groups along with their babies.
26. They make personal territories for their solitude
Males generally seek companions only for breeding. Otherwise, they would rather be alone in their territory, which they mark using piles of poop. Each individual has a unique smell, making their claims clear to other rhinos.
27. Birds are their besties
They might not like their kind, but rhinos often hang out with tick birds. These perch on their back and gobble the pesky insects on their skin. When threats appear, the birds cry out to alert their giant friends.
Feeding
28. They are herbivores
Rhinos don’t use their size to overpower and consume other animals. They are herbivores who love eating grass and leaves. However, they don’t mind more fibrous plant matter. Their gut can ferment this food for better digestion.
29. They like grassy areas to live
Rhinos prefer living in rainforests, swamps, and grassy plains. These environments provide them with abundant food throughout the year, which is crucial given their tremendous appetites.
30. Some species don’t even have front teeth
The rhino diet requires more chewing than biting. Some species lost their front teeth and continued to survive, using their lips to pluck leaves from their surroundings. White rhinos use their wide, square lips to graze on grass, while black rhinos have pointed lips to grab leaves and twigs. It’s like they come with built-in dining utensils!
31. Tree Trimmers
Black rhinos often push over small trees and shrubs to get to the tastiest leaves and shoots. They’re nature’s unlicensed tree trimmers.
32. Snacking Strategies
Rhinos have a funny way of checking if a plant is tasty. They often nudge it with their lips or horns first, as if giving it a little taste test before committing to a big bite.
33. Endless Appetites
Rhinos can eat up to 100 pounds (45 kilograms) of food a day. They’re like the competitive eaters of the animal kingdom.
34. They feed themselves at cooler hours
Since midday can get too hot for rhinos, they go out to feed at night, dawn, and dusk. The schedule also helps them avoid conflict with other animals, as these are already resting when they rise.
35. Watermelon Crush
In captivity, rhinos love treats like watermelons. They can crush them with their powerful jaws in one bite, making quite a juicy mess.
36. Messy Eaters
When rhinos eat, they often leave bits of food dangling from their mouths, creating a comical, messy look that’s quite at odds with their fierce appearance.
37. Their habitats are shrinking
The rise of human populations contributed to the loss of rhino habitats, which they often share with elephants, buffalos, and antelopes. Encroachment results in less food and more competition for valuable resources.
Predators
38. Rhinos have no natural predators.
Adults have a stacked defensive system (size, skin, and horn) that repels all wild beasts. However, young ones may fall to big cats, hyenas, and crocodiles.
39. They get easily frightened
They may look intimidating, but rhinos are anxious creatures. They get easily frightened by unfamiliar animals and objects. They instinctively charge at whatever scares them for self-preservation.
40. Humans are the biggest threat
Like many endangered species, humans are the biggest threats to their survival. People hunt them primarily for their horns. Despite the lack of evidence, some use it in powdered form as traditional medicine, aphrodisiac, or antidote.
41. Rhinoceros horn trade is illegal
An international convention banned this activity in 1977 to arrest the decline in their numbers. According to estimates, about half a million rhinos remained at the start of the 20th century. Only about 27,000 exist today.
42. New ideas for conservation
Some conservationists are using extreme methods like horn poisoning. They inject it with a chemical that is toxic to humans but safe for rhinos to discourage consumption. A biotech firm also suggested the creation of artificial horns to undercut the black market.
Culture
43. Can be seen in various antient artworks
Rhinos have been appearing in artworks for millennia. They are in Stone Age cave paintings in France, Ancient Roman mosaics in Italy, and Han dynasty wine vessels in China.
44. Ride of a Hindu God
In Southeast Asia, the Khmer people of Cambodia depict the Hindu god Agni riding a rhino. He also appears in medieval Thai literature with the same description.
45. A very famous woodcut of a rhinoceros
In 1515, the German Renaissance painter and printmaker Albrecht Durer made a famous woodcut of a rhinoceros that arrived in Lisbon from India. It was the first living specimen in Europe since Roman times.
46. Legends in Malaysia, Burma and India
In Malaysia, a mythical rhino called badak api is known for stamping out fires. Comparable legends are present in Burma and India. The 1980 film The Gods Must Be Crazy depicted the myth.
47. Rudyard Kipling also wrote about Rhinos
British author Rudyard Kipling, famous for writing The Jungle Book, also penned classic origin stories for children. These include How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin, explaining the dermal folds and bad temper.