The rhinoceros is an armored monster that resembles a tank on legs on our planet. And Rhinos have existed on our planet for countless ages. Here are some facts about this amazing species that everyone should be aware of.
1. There are five different rhino species
The black and white rhino are two species that are found in Africa. Some researchers further classify them as subspecies (such as the northern white rhino). The three other species, the Javan, Sumatran, and Indian rhinos (sometimes referred to as bigger one-horned rhinos), are all found in Asia. Rhinos from Africa and Asia can be distinguished from one another by the color of their skin. Asian rhinos have noticeably more folds in their skin than African rhinos do.
2. In reality, both black and white rhinos are gray
The terms “black rhino” and “white rhino” are incorrect because both are actually grey rhinos. According to legend, the white rhino’s name, “wyd,” came from the Afrikaans word for wide, referring to its broad, square lip (in the meantime black rhinos have a pointy upper lip). Early English explorers misinterpreted this word for “white” and gave this species the name “white” rhino in order to distinguish it from the other species, which they called “black” rhinos.
3. Rhinos can weigh more than three tons.
Although Sumatran rhinos are the smallest rhinos, they can still weigh 600kg, or over 95 stone. The biggest rhino species, however, is the white rhino, which may weigh up to 3,500 kg. Given that they primarily consume grass and leaves that translates to more than 550 stones, or well over 3 tones.
4. They go by the names crash, bulls, cows and calves
Male rhinos are referred to as “bulls,” while females are referred to as “cows.” They refer to their young as “calves.” The most of the time, rhinos live alone. On the other hand, it’s referred to as a “crash” when they do group up. Compared to lonely, territorial males, females are typically more outgoing.
5. Rhinos communicate secretly with each other
Infrasonic frequency refers to sounds that are below the human hearing threshold and is the language used by rhinos. Scientists believe that rhinos evolved this ability because they live in places with lots of plants. Rhinos can keep track of one another more easily because infrasonic frequencies may pass through dense foliage more easily.
6. The vision of rhinos is poor
Rhinos primarily rely on their keen sense of smell because they have poor eyesight and can’t perceive an immobile object 30 meters away.
7. Rhino horns are similar to our fingernails
Keratin, a protein that makes up human fingernails and hair, is the material used to make rhino horns. Imagine having hair that thick! Furthermore, over the course of a rhino’s lifetime, its horn grows. The longest rhino horn on record measures slightly less than 5 feet long!
8. They like mud
Rhinos frequently roll around in mud to protect themselves, creating a “mud coat” that keeps them cool, deters insects from biting, and gets rid of parasites. Asian rhinos are proficient swimmers and can easily cross rivers. But their African relatives can’t swim well and can drown in deep water, so they prefer to cool off by rolling in the mud.
9. The population of Rhinos is declining
According to the IUCN Red List, three of the five species of rhinos are “critically endangered.” Some academics even hold the opinion that the Northern White Rhino is to be extinct in the wild. Their population is in danger because of poaching in Africa and the destruction of their habitat in Asia.
Deforestation, which is done to alter the landscape for human activities such as agriculture production, is causing rhinoceroses to lose their habitat. The massive environmental cost of meeting the demand for animal products around the world is felt by our earth. Particularly, the quantity of feed required for the billions of farm animals is unsustainable and threatens the biodiversity while destroying natural areas.