Rhinoceros’ nickname is the rhino, the second largest mammal on the planet after the elephants. Rhinoceros exist in the areas of Africa and Asia. Approximately, five known species exist in this world but, all of them are endangered because of excessive hunting and violation. The main reason for their killing is their valuable horns which are used for multiple reasons. Let me list down some of the interesting and fascinating facts about the Rhinoceros.
The term rhinoceros means “horned nose” and once this creature wandered and made its homes in North America and Europe. Now they are found in Asia and Africa as well. The first rhinoceros that wandered on the planet was the Woolly Rhino which, lived around 50 million years ago. There are around five different sorts of Rhinoceros present in this world. The main species are Black and white rhinoceros, both living in Africa. While the others are greater one-horned or Indian rhinoceros, Javan rhinoceros, and Sumatran rhinoceros rest of all exist in Asia. White rhinoceros have flat, wide, and broad mouths and are called “grazers” as they eat grass from the ground. Black rhinos are “browsers” because they have beak-shaped lips and, they consume leaves and twigs from trees while eating.
Wretchedly, it’s appraised now just about 29,000 rhinoceros are left in the wild world, as compared to 500,000 at the beginning of the 20th century. They are killed due to their attractive horns used in traditional folk medicine, particularly in Asia.
10: The herbivorous
Rhinoceros are herbivorous as they just consume natural vegetation. You know black and white African species of rhinoceros don’t have teeth. So, the interesting fact is that these rhinoceros pluck the food using their lips instead of teeth. That is amazing.
09: Both humans and rhinos have keratin in their bodies
Usually, white Rhinos have the longest horns. They have been recorded as around 1.7 meters long! Wow! The Black, White, and Sumatran Rhinoceros normally have two horns. But the other species like white Indians and Javan have only one. Even some Javan Rhinoceros females don’t have any horns at all. You know its horns are not made of bone and are linked to the Rhino’s skull. Interesting facts about Rhinoceros horns are made from keratin. It’s the same matter that our fingernails are made of. That’s why they have a close similarity to humans.
Unlike elephant tusks, rhinoceros horns are compact and not deep and continue to grow throughout their life. If it survives from poachers’ attack and during survival horn became damaged then, no worries it will grow again.
08: Caring mothers
A rhinoceros’ gestation period is comprised of 15 to 16 months and, females became very virtuous and protective mothers. Like most mothers, they always keep an eye on their calves. Interesting facts about Rhinoceros are that calves stay with their mother for up to 3 years until gain maturity and don’t leave home.
07: Span of life
As compared to many species the lifetime of the rhinoceros is not too long. The life expectancy of rhinoceros only ranged from 35-40 years due to many factors. The maximum age of the rhinoceros is only 35 years and the generative period starts at 7 years of age with 18 months of pregnancy. The rhinoceros has only 25 years to reproduce as well as the child rhino age for at least one year, each of the parents will likely only produce 4-5 individual rhino springs throughout his life.
06: Solitary creature
The Sumatran rhinoceros is a naturally shy creature. They only prefer to live in a small group and usually alone. Those rhinoceros who like to live alone seem to make it difficult for scientists to breed them. That’s why this species of rhinoceros is currently very little populated. One of the interesting facts is that the Sumatran rhinoceros is a tentative creature that lives in small herds although it generally lives solitary.
05: A Rhinos Best Friend is the Oxpecker
As you know rhinoceros prefer to live alone from others of their kind, but interesting facts about them are that they like to make companionship with oxpeckers. These beautiful birds gather in groups and will often be found sitting on a rhino’s back, eating bugs on their skin. These birds also assist them and also make them aware of surrounding dangers.
04: Poor eyesight
As you know Rhinoceros are huge creatures but, they have very poor eyesight and are near-sighted. Due to its huge body, it cannot move its head properly. They try to see someone like a poacher or something else until it’s almost right in front of them. So, when it sees, the person or object, it’ll usually charge itself for protection.
03: Sensitive skin
Rhinoceros have thick skin look very tough. However, it is quite sensitive to sunburns and pest bites. That’s rhinoceros-like to stumble and roll around in the mud for the protection of its skin. When the mud dries it protects the rhino’s skin from the sun and bugs.
02: Rhinos need the same amount of sleep as human adults
Like human beings, Rhinoceros also need about eight hours of sleep per day. They can sleep everywhere whether they are standing or lying down. When they fall into a deep sleep, sometimes they are found lying down with their feet curled up slightly to one side how cute!
01: Precious horns
Rhino horns are highly desirable and are treasured due to their horns cost more than gold in some parts of the world. Interesting facts about Rhinoceros horns are that traditional Chinese medicine holds that the horns possess healing properties, they have been used as an aphrodisiac, and in Yemen, they have been prized as dagger hilts.
