Great Asian One-Horned Rhino
Indian rhinoceros
Key Facts
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Common Name
Indian Rhinoceros
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Scientific Name
Rhinoceros unicornis
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Geographic habitat
Indo- Nepal terai and Northern West Bengal, and Assam
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Height
1.70 m (5.7 feet)
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Length
3.50 m (11.7 feet)
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Weight
2260 kg to 3000 kg
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Did you know?
The rhino is the fourth largest land animal
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Status
Endangered
Habitat and distribution
The preferred habitat of an Indian Rhinoceros is alluvial flood plains and areas containing tall grasslands along the foothills of the Himalayas. Formerly, extensively distributed in the Gangetic plains, today the species is restricted to small habitats in Indo- Nepal terai and northern West Bengal, and Assam. In India, rhinos are mainly found in Kaziranga NP, Pobitara WLS, Orang NP, Manas NP in Assam, Jaldapara WLS and Garumara NP in West Bengal and Dudhwa TR in Uttar Pradesh.
Characteristics
The Indian rhino has a single horn, which is present in both sexes. It is the largest of all the Asian rhinos. Considered to be the most amphibious of all the rhino species, the Indian rhino is an excellent swimmer. It can run at speeds of up to 55km/hr for short periods of time. Though it has an excellent sense of hearing and smell, its eyesight is relatively poor. The average height is about 170cm, a girth of 335cm. While a fully grown male rhino weighs around 2000 – 2500kg, a female weighs around 1600kg. The animal is solitary as a rule, though several may occupy the same patch of forest or water hole. Breeding takes place at all times of the year. The period of gestation is about 16 months and the young at birth in length is around 105 cm and weighs up to 60kg. The female attains sexual maturity in 5 years and the male between 7-10 years old.