The Great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros

The Indian rhino is one of the largest rhinoceroses found in the world. Unlike the other rhino, the Indian rhino has only one horn. It's skin is a light gray color and it has many folds and bumps. This gives it a heavily armored appearance. The Indian rhino is a forest dweller and an excellent swimmer. It can also run up to 35 miles per hour for a short time. It spends a lot of time wallowing in water and mud to protect its skin.

Astonishing is't it !
The horn of the rhino is made of keratin, the same substance our fingernails are made of.

Habitat
The Indian rhino at one time ranged throughout much of Southeast Asia. Today, most of the wild population is found in two protected areas. One area is in Nepal and the other in Assam, India. The Indian rhino is confined to the tall grasslands and riverine forests in the foothills of the Himalayas.

About the Rhinoceros
"Rhinoceros" literally means "nose horn," and in this species we have found the true "unicorn," which means "one horn." Other species have two horns. The Indian rhino can be distinguished from the African rhino not only because it has just a single horn, but because the hide is covered with bumps and has many folds, resembling very much a living tank. The coloring of these folds may be pink. These animals are hairless except for a tuft on the tail and at the base of the ears for insect chasing. The feet are all 3-toed, unlike the one-toed horses of this order, and the legs are short and powerful. These huge animals may stretch 13 feet long and over six feet high at the shoulders. They can weigh 4000 pounds.

Types of Rhinos found
» Indian Rhinoceros
» White Rhinoceros
» Black Rhinoceros
» Sumatran Rhinoceros
» Javan Rhinoceros

Behaviour
The Indian rhinos is generally a solitary animal when it feeds, but it may share wallows or bathing places. The female is often accompanied by a single offspring for several years. It rarely attacks and usually flees from danger, although it has little to fear except from man. It likes to be near water, and bathes frequently. It is active night or day, feeding on grass, shoots, and tender plants.

Gestation lasts for 15 to 16 months, after which the female delivers a single young, usually in March or April. The youngster nurses for about two years, and stays near its mother for another year after weaning. It reaches sexual maturity between three and five years of age.

Fascinating Fact!
For centuries people in the Orient have believed that many parts of the rhinos have magical properties. As a result the species has been hunted almost to extermination.

Rhinoceros in India
» Kaziranga National Park ( located besides the Brahmaputra river , 219 km from Guwahati )
» Manas National Park ( located in the foothills of Bhutanese Himalayas ,176 km from Guwahati )<