The total population estimate in 2007 was 2,575 individuals, according to the IUCN. Fortunately, their population is increasing there are 3,333 greater one-horned rhinos in the world. Greater one-horned rhinos are 'vulnerable,' which means they may become endangered unless circumstances improve.There are 5,055 black rhinos, fewer than 100 Sumatran rhinos and only 35 to 44 Javan rhinos. Black rhinos, Sumatran rhinos and Javan rhinos are 'critically endangered,' which is the list's highest risk category.Learn more about our rhino conservation work.A black rhino carcass with the horn hacked off. Lion World Travel partners with the TreadRight Foundation to support critical rhino conservation initiatives in Africa with the Endangered Wildlife Trust and WildAid. Why? Well, the term officially refers to a group of rhinos that is moving at a high speed and shows, pretty clearly, that they are a force to be reckoned with. While a group of rhinos is more commonly referred to as a “herd”, these same groups are occasionally referred to as a “crash”. In fact, the largest part of the rhino brain is dedicated to the olfactory sense, indicating just how important a rhino’s sense of smell is to its survival.ġ0) A group of rhinos is called a 'crash' Rhinos make up for their poor eyesight-they sometimes have trouble visually detecting other animals on an open plain who are less than a hundred feet away-with their olfactory (smell) and auditory (hearing) senses. 9) Rhinos have a strong sense of smell and hearing, but poor eyesight Close study of the relationship between oxpeckers and rhinos has also revealed that when an oxpecker makes a commotion, this alerts the rhino to potential dangers nearby. The reason? Oxpeckers eat insects and ticks off the backs of rhinos, keeping the rhinos free from some of the more annoying pests in the wild. Oxpeckers are small, colorful birds that are found throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and, more specifically, on the backs of white and black rhinos. 7) Rhinos Are AncientĪncestors of today’s rhinos roamed the earth 50 million years ago and though the rhinos of today share many similarities to their forebears, the thick, curly coat of hair found on the woolly rhino is not one of them! 8) Oxpeckers are a Rhino’s Best Friend Once the mud dries, it provides a layer of protection from both the sun and insects. That’s why, when you are on safari, you will often see rhinos rolling around in the mud. Similar to elephants, a rhino’s skin can be up to 2 inches thick, but is still susceptible to sunburn. All that weight is distributed across a 6 foot tall frame that can reach up to 11 feet in length.Ħ) Rhinos Have Thick, But Sensitive, Skin 5) Rhinos are MassiveĪfrica’s white rhino, the largest of the world’s five species of rhinos, can weigh in at 5,000 pounds, making it the world’s second largest land mammal behind elephants. Interestingly, while running their top speed, rhinos run on their toes. The world’s fastest humans, by comparison, only reach speeds of 28 miles per hour in a short 100-meter sprint. Rhinos can reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. The location of the droppings also marks territory for different groups of rhino. By smelling rhino droppings, rhinos can identify a variety of characteristics about its owner including the sex and approximate age of the rhino. In addition to these forms of communication, rhino droppings are also meaningful. Keratin in a rhino horn is a compacted mass of hairs that grows throughout the life of a rhino.ģ) Rhinos Communicate with Sound (and Poop)įor rhinos, snorts signal anger, huffs are greetings, while surprised squeaks often mean confusion. 2) Rhino horns are made of the same substance as hair and fingernailsĭespite its appearance, a rhino horn is not made of bone, instead the core substance of rhino horn is a protein called keratin, the same substance found in the fingernails and hair of many mammals (including humans). Due to widespread poaching, all rhinos are under threat, but the black rhino, Javan rhino and Sumatran rhino are classified as critically endangered and could become extinct in as few as three generations. White and black rhinoceros are native to Africa, while Indian, Javan and Sumatran can be found in India and Asia. White, Black, Indian, Javan, and Sumatran make up the five species of rhino in the world. 1) There are 5 species of rhinos, 3 of which are critically endangered

Rhino weight in pounds