Indian Rhinoceros
Rhinoceros unicornis

• 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.