Rhino Profile

Rhinoceroses are frequently killed by humans for their valuable horns, made of keratin (like human hair and fingernails). Both African subspecies of the rhinoceros have two horns, while the Indian and Javan rhinoceroses have two. Rhinoceroses have great hearing and smell, but poor vision. Many live to be over 60 years old. Nearly all rhinoceros species are listed as critically endangered.

The white rhinoceros is the second most massive land animal in the world, along with the Indian rhinoceros and the hippopotamus. The white rhino can exceed 7,700 pounds, with a length of 15 feet and height of nearly 7 feet. The largest white rhinoceros was 10,000 pounds. The front horn of the white rhinoceros is larger than the other horn and averages nearly 3 feet in length, although it can reach 5 feet. The white rhinoceros spends about half of the day eating, one third resting, and the rest of the day doing a variety of other things. White Rhinoceroses, like all species of rhinoceros, love wallowing in mudholes to cool down.

The name of the black rhinoceros was chosen to distinguish it from the white rhinoceros. However, they have a very similar color. The black rhinoceros is much smaller than the white rhinoceros, although it is still large: it can weigh up to 4,000 pounds, with a length of 13 feet and height of nearly 6 feet. The front horn averages 2 feet in length, although it can reach nearly 5 feet.

The Indian rhinoceros is an endangered species of rhinoceros located in India. It is typically 12 feet long, and weighs over 4,000 pounds. It has a single horn, made of keratin.

The Javan Rhino is likely the rarest mammal in the world. It is critically endangered, along with many other rhinoceros species. It is located in South Eastern Asia, in the tropical forests, mangrove swamps and bamboo grooves. It can reach lengths of up to 11 feet, and weights of 2,500 pounds.

The Sumatran Rhinoceros, also known as the Asiatic Two-Horned Rhinoceros, is the smallest and hairiest of all rhino species. It is critically endangered. It can reach lengths of up to 10 feet, and a weight of 1,760 pounds.

About the Author
Jacob Maddox manages content for Wildlife Animals http://www.wildlife-animals.com an educational wildlife and animal website. Jacob also guest writes for Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net