RHINOCEROS -
The name rhinoceros' has Greek origin. In Greek, rhino means 'nose' and keros mean 'horned'. The animal has one or more curved horns on its long nose. The horns grow throughout its lift. Rhinoceros belongs to the 'odd-toed' group of ungulates. Rhinoceroses are found in Africa and South-East Asia.
The animal carries its large body on the four stouts, short legs. It has three toes on each foot, each toe ending in the separate hoof. Each front foot actually has the fourth toe, too. that is no longer used. The skin of the rhinoceros is very thick and has little hair. They look as if they are wearing heavy armor plating held together with rivets. The horns are composed entirely of hair-like structures at above thickenings of the nasal bones and frontal bones. They are not attached to the skull and may even be torn off infighting. When this happens, they quickly grow again. The horn may be up to 107 centimeters in length.
There are five different kinds of rhinoceroses existing today - two from Africa and there from Asia. The Sumatran rhinoceroses have two horns whereas the other two Asian species - Indian and Javan - have only one. They are all on the verge of extinction but the most endangered is the Javan rhinoceros, which survives only in one small reserve.
The largest of all these is the white rhinoceros from Africa. It stands 1.8 meters (6 feet) high at the shoulder and can weigh over 3 tonnes. An interesting difference between the white and black rhinoceros lies in the shape of their lips. The white rhinoceros has a wider, square-mouth which is very suitable for dropping grass. The black rhinoceros is more of browser and has a pointed upper lip for grazing and plucking leaves and shoots from shrubs and bushes. The other two-horned species, the Sumatran rhinoceros, is the smallest of all, standing only about 4.5 feet at the shoulder and weighing less than a tonne.
Rhinoceros feeds on grass, twigs, and shrubs. It does not hunt other animals for food. During the afternoon heat, it usually buries itself in muddy water. And from here, it emerges with a layer of mud on its skin. This dries and forms a protective coating against insect bites. The huge animal is usually quiet and retiring. But if it is cornered, it can become very fierce and dangerous. A rhinoceros can run at a speed of 30 miles an hour, and use its strong, pointed horns to attack its enemy. In captivity, the rhinoceros may live up to 50 years. A female bears only one young at a time. The calf is born about 18 months after the mating season and remains with the mother for several years.
Now, unfortunately, the rhinoceros is a rare species. Over the centuries, it has been hunted by man for its horns. This is because according to an ancient belief, its horn imparted magical properties to its owner. However, now this second largest land mammal is being protected by law to prevent it from becoming extinct.
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