What kind of animal is the rhinoceros, a mammal from Asia and Africa? We will explain the characteristics, ecology, distribution, and habitat of each of the five species of rhino. The rhinoceros is one of the largest animals in the world, and is often exhibited at zoos, so it is well known. It is an animal covered with thick and hard skin, and there are subspecies, so I will explain them.
What is a rhinoceros? About basic status
Rhinoceroses are members of the mammalian family Perissodactyla. The scientific name is Rhinocerotidae. The body length is 2.4 to 4 meters and the weight is 700 to 3,500 kg. Many live in Africa and South Asia. It is a large animal and is currently active in Asia and Africa. It is a very popular animal, appearing in animal fortune telling and illustrations, and is said to bring good luck.
| Japanese（和名） | サイ |
| English（英名） | Rhinoceros |
| scientific name(学名) | Rhinocerotidae |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、 Perissodactyla、Rhinocerotidae 哺乳綱、奇蹄目、サイ科 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | ENDANGERED |
| Length（体長） | 2.4～4m |
| Weight（体重） | 700～3,500kg |
About classification
There is actually more than one species of rhinoceros. There are many subspecies. The following variants exist: Each has a long history on Earth, and each location is different.
| Name (名前) | Academic Name （学名） |
| White rhinoceros シロサイ | Ceratotherium simum |
| Sumatran rhinoceros スマトラサイ | Dicerorhinus sumatrensis |
| Black rhinoceros クロサイ | Diceros bicornis |
| Javan rhinoceros ジャワサイ | Rhinoceros sondaicus |
| Indian rhinoceros インドサイ | Rhinoceros unicornis |
What is a white rhino?
The white rhino is the largest species of rhinoceros. It consists of two species, the southern white rhino and the northern white rhino, and many live in central and southern Africa. It is listed in Appendix I of the Washington Convention, and trade is strictly restricted.
What is a Sumatran rhino?
The Sumatran rhino is the smallest of the rhinos. This animal lives in Indonesia and other countries and is designated as an endangered species. Most of the Sumatran rhino’s body is covered with reddish-brown fur. Its biggest feature is its two horns.
What is a black rhinoceros?
The black rhino is a rhinoceros that lives in Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini, Tanzania, and other countries. It has become extinct in several regions due to poaching and habitat loss, and is designated as an endangered species.
What is a Javan rhino?
The Javan rhinoceros is one of the smallest rhinoceros species, along with the Sumatran rhinoceros. It is native to the Indonesian island of Java and is the rarest of all living animal species. This rhinoceros is also listed as an endangered species, and the Javan rhino population in Vietnam’s Cat Tien National Park is extinct.
What is Indian rhinoceros?
The Indian rhinoceros is the second largest extant rhinoceros species. It lives mainly in India. Indian rhinoceroses once lived throughout the Indo-Gangetic plains, but due to excessive hunting and agricultural development, their numbers have declined dramatically and they are now listed as an endangered species.
About rhino habitat
Rhinos are distributed in eastern and southern Africa, and in India and Southeast Asia (Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, etc.).
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
Rhinos are covered with thick, hard skin that acts like armor. There is no hair on the body, with a small amount of hair on the tip of the short tail. Their body color is gray or brown, and they often play in the mud. Rhinoceroses have one or two thick horns on their heads, and the short ones are 25 cm long and the long ones are 1.5 m long. They are usually solitary and live in savannahs, forests, grasslands, bushes, and wetlands.
What will your personality look like?
Rhinos have a ferocious personality. Black rhinos are very territorial and may charge indiscriminately at intruders. Once it starts to get out of control, it tends to get out of hand.
What is the ecology of rhinos?
Rhinoceroses are herbivores, subsisting on grass, leaves, and fruits. Breeding occurs throughout the year, with a gestation period of one year. Females can give birth to one cub at a time. The lifespan is said to be about 45 to 50 years.
Do rhinos have natural enemies?
Rhinos are powerful animals and have no natural enemies. However, small or sickly rhinos are easily targeted by predators such as lions and leopards. Rhinos can run away at about 30km/h, so they are not easy to catch.
Are rhinos an endangered species?
As explained above, most rhinoceros subspecies are listed as endangered species. It is also listed in the Washington Convention, and transactions are classified and strictly restricted. The reasons for this are as follows. We are in a critical situation.
illegal hunting
Rhinos are protected internationally, but illegal hunting for their horns continues in Asia and Africa. As a result, the population has not recovered at all. Rhino horn is more lucrative than cocaine, heroin, or gold.
habitat destruction
Habitat destruction is also a problem. In Southeast Asia in particular, rapid land development is progressing, creating a very harsh environment. They are now protected on a limited basis in zoos and national parks. Conservation events are also being held around the world.
Can rhinos be kept in captivity?
Rhinos are not very suitable for breeding because they are huge animals and are designated as an endangered species, so there are many restrictions. These animals require more protection than other animals, and urgent action is needed. It is safe to observe the actual rhinos on site.
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