BiologyCoachOnlineBlog

A rhinoceros (or "nose horn") is one of any five living species of odd-toed ungulates in the family Rhinocerotidae native to both Africa and Southern Asia. The rhinos are characterized by their large size, their herbivorous diet, their thick protective skin (formed of layers of collagen), their (relatively) small brains-for large mammals, and their characteristic large horns. While rhinos enjoy leafy plant material, they are able to digest more fibrous material in their hind-guts. The two African species - Ceratotherium simum (white rhinoceros) and Diceros bicornis (black rhinoceros) - lack front teeth and, instead, pluck leaves and grasses with their lips.

Rhinoceros horns are bought and sold on the "black market" where they are worth as much as gold (by weight). Rhino horns-which are made of keratin (the same protein that makes up your hair and fingernails) - are ground up and consumed in some cultures where people believe the horn-dust has healing and other therapeutic properties.

In honor of "Save the Rhino Day," we wish to shine the spotlight on the Sumatran rhinoceros. The Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) is the smallest rhinoceros species with mature adults standing just over four feet (1.3 m) high at the shoulder. Additionally, adult Sumatran rhinoceroses are generally between about seven feet and 10.5 feet (2.4-3.2 m) long and may weigh in at about 1,500 pounds (700 kg). The Sumatran rhinoceros is the most threatened rhinoceros species on the plant and that due mainly to habitat loss and illegal poaching. In fact, official conservative estimates numbered the Sumatran rhino at around 320-individuals in 1995. That number is probably closer to 220 in 2016 as the (comparatively) "pint sized" Sumatran rhino teeters on the precipice of extinction. Like its much larger African cousin, the Sumatran rhino has two horns. Uncharacteristically-for rhinoceroses anyway-the Sumatran variety has very dense hair (especially as young calves). Additionally, their color is reddish-brown, they have short, stubby legs, and their lips are prehensile. Historically this rhinoceros species was spread across South-east Asia. Today, however, they inhabit only small parts of Indonesia and Malaysia.