Indian Rhinoceros
Rhinoceros unicornis

WILD STATUS
Vulnerable.
DISTRIBUTION
North-Eastern India and lower elevations in Nepal.
SIZE
Indian Rhinos grow to 3175 kg (7000 lbs).
Shoulder height 1.7-2.1 m (5.5’-7’).
HABITAT
They thrive in open grasslands, floodplains and open forest.
REPRODUCTION
A single calf is born every 3 years after a 480 day gestation period.
DIET
They eat grasses, aquatic plants, twigs, leaves and fruit.
INTERESTING TIDBITS
- Life span is approximately 50 years in captivity and 40 in the wild.
- The Indian rhino is the second largest land mammal behind the elephant.
- There are 5 species of rhino: Black, White, Sumatran, Javan and Indian.
- The Indian Rhinoceros has a semi-prehensile upper lip enabling them to grasp twigs and twist and pull them into their mouths.
- They are able to run up to 35 mph and to stop or turn very sharply.
- They are excellent swimmers and have been known to swim across wide rivers.
- They have acute hearing and sense of smell and can see very well up-close.
- The Indian Rhinoceros is unique in having huge folds of skin at its neck and joints. The skin is covered with many tubercles (bumps) appearing to be armour plated.
- Indian rhinos enjoy wallowing in the mud. Mud coated on their skin acts as sunscreen, bug repellent and air conditioning.
- They are threatened by loss of habitat and poaching. They are translocated from large source populations such as national parks to smaller parks and reserves.

ANIMAL FACT SHEET
To download the information from this page and also get a full page photo of the Indian Rhinoceros click here for a PDF.
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