Rhino Species >> Indian Rhinoceros

The Greater One Horned Rhino or Indian Rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) once inhabited along areas from Pakistan to Burma & Bangladesh and may have even roamed in China. Because of human influence, their range has shrunk and now they only exist in small populations in northeastern India and Nepal. This huge rhinoceros is found in the Terai at the foot of the Himalayas, from Bhutan to Nepal.

It is confined to the tall grasslands and forests in the foothills of the Himalayas. The Indian Rhinoceros can run at speeds of up to 55 km/h for short periods of time and is also an excellent swimmer. It has an excellent sense of hearing and smell but relatively poor eyesight.

This prehistoric-looking rhinoceros has thick, silver-brown skin which creates huge folds all over its body. Its upper legs and shoulders are covered in wart-like bumps, and it has very little body hair. With size equal to that of the white rhino in Africa, it is the fourth-largest land animal, after the three elephant species. Fully grown males are larger than females in the wild, weighing from 2200- 3000 kg (4,800 - 6,600 lb). Female Indian rhinos weigh about 1600 kg. The Indian Rhino is from 5.7 to 6.7 feet tall and can be up to 13 feet long. The record-sized specimen of this rhino was approximately 3500 kg.

The Great One-Horned Rhinoceros has a single horn; this is present in both males and females, but not on newborn young. The horn, like human fingernails, is pure keratin and starts to show after about 6 years. It reaches a length of between 20 and 101 cm.

These rhinos live in tall grasslands and riverine forests, but due to habitat loss they have been forced into more cultivated land. They are mostly solitary creatures, with the exception of mothers and calves and breeding pairs, although they sometimes congregate at bathing areas. They have home ranges, the home ranges of males being usually 2-8 square kilometers in size, and overlapping each other. Dominant males tolerate males passing through their territory except when they are in mating season, when dangerous fights break out. They are active during the day and spend the middle of the day wallowing in lakes, rivers, ponds, and puddles to cool down. They are extremely good swimmers. Over 10 distinct vocalizations have been recorded.

The Indian Rhinoceros is a grazer. Their diet includes grasses, leaves, aquatic plants and fruits. Indian rhinos use lower incisor teeth as a slashing weapon. It should be noted that Indian rhinos does not use their horn as a weapon. Indian rhinos have few natural enemies, except for tigers. Tigers sometimes kill unguarded calves, but adult rhinos are less vulnerable due to their huge size and dangerous weapons. However, there is a recorded instance of a tiger killing a full-grown female Indian rhino.

Males can breed at nine years of age, and females reach sexual maturity at five years and have their first calves between six and eight years of age. Unlike other rhinos they use their sharp lower teeth to fight, and injuries thus inflicted may be fatal. The gestation period is about 16 months. Calves are weaned around 18 months. A single calf is born at intervals of about three years. Mother rhinos are attentive and protective, the young staying with the mother for several years. At the birth of a new calf the female will chase off her older offspring.

Only 100 remained in the early 1900's and now their population has increased but even so they are still endangered. The Indian rhino is illegally poached for its horn, which some cultures in East Asia believe has healing and potency powers. Habitat loss is another threat. Fewer than 2500 individuals remain in the wild, and the species is endangered.

The Indian and Nepalese governments have taken major steps toward Indian Rhinoceros conservation with the help of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The Kaziranga National Park and Manas National Park in Assam, Pobiora reserve forest in Assam (having the highest Indian rhino density in the world), Orang National park of Assam, Laokhowa reserve forest of Assam having a very small population and Chitwan National Park in Nepal are major homes for this endangered animal.