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Indian Rhino

Rhinoceros unicornis​


The Indian Rhinoceros is a herbivorous grazer that belongs to the order of the Perissodactyla and is one of the three species of Rhinos native to Asia. It occurs in the foothills of the Himalaya in Nepal and India (especially Assam). The Indian Rhino is a browser and lives in to the South of the Himalaya in the grass- and wetlands. Its primary characteristics are its 'armor plating' and its single horn. There are about 2,600 Indian Rhino left in the wild, but their numbers were less than 200 early in the 20th century. This demise was mainly caused by poaching and habitat loss. There recovery is one of two success stories in rhino conservation, the other being the Southern White Rhino.​

Indian Rhino General information

  • Weight:  4,000 – 6,000 lbs

  • Height (at shoulder):  5,75 -6,5 ft

  • Length (head and body):  10 - 12,5 ft

  • Horn length:  8 in – 24 in

  • Lifespan: 40 to 50 years

  • Characteristics: only one horn and skin with large folds all over its body.
     

Indian Rhino Behavior

  • Indian Rhinos may reach speeds of 25 mph and are extremely good swimmers.

  • Indian Rhinos are primarily solitary except for the females when they have a calf.

  • Indian Rhinos have home ranges of 1.2-4.8 square miles in size.

  • Males are loosely territorial.

  • Indian Rhinos feed during the morning and evening and spend the afternoon wallowing in lakes, rivers and ponds.
     

Indian Rhino Reproduction

  • Gestation period: 15 - 16 months.

  • Birth intervals per calf: 1 to 3 years.

  • Female sexual maturity: at 5 to 7 years

  • Male sexual maturity: at approximately 10 years

  • Newborn weaned: at 18 months
     

Indian Rhino Distribution
Latest status figures:

  • Kaziranga National Park [March 2012] – total 2290 rhinos

  • Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary [March 2012] – total 93

  • Orang National Park [March 2012] – total 100

  • Manas Tiger Reserve [March 2012] – total 22 (translocated from Pabitora and Kaziranga since 2006)

  • Pre 20th century numbers: 200.

  • Current numbers in wild: 2,619

  • Current numbers in captivity: At the end of 2006, there were 158 Indian Rhino in captivity. In the past 200 years to 1998, there were 397 animals (of which 137 were born in a zoo).

  • Habitat: grasslands and riverine forests.

  • Historic Natural Range: The southern parts of the Himalaya, ranging from Pakistan through Northern India and Nepal to Assam. Some records tell of Indian Rhinos in China.

  • Current Range: In several National Parks primarily located in Nepal, India and Assam (the highest Indian rhino density in the world).
     

Indian Rhino Diet

  • Indian Rhinos are primarily grazers but occasionally also browse.

  • Indian Rhinos prefer wetlands and also are known to feed on aquatic plants while in the water.

     

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