INDIAN RHINOS

"GREATER ONE-HORNED" RHINOS

Indian rhinos are the largest of the three Asian rhino species and are more or less equal in size to the white rhino. Males can be fiercely territorial often using their teeth rather than their horns for defense. Sparring can last for several hours, and it is not uncommon for those involved to die, usually a few days later because of sustained injuries.

The Indian rhino is the most aquatic of all Asian rhinos, and is known for being an excellent swimmer, as well as being capable of diving and eating under water.

Historically, habitat loss and wide-scale hunting decimated the population. By 2005, numbers had dropped to as low as 2000-2500 individuals. In less than two decades, due to strict protection laws, protected habitats, and conservation initiatives, the population has almost doubled.

Facts

Scientific name

• Rhinoceros unicornis

"uni" meaning one and "cornis" meaning horn in Latin

Sub-species

• No subspecies

Conservation status

• Vulnerable (IUCN Redlist classification)

Population

• 4014 individuals (correct as of September 2024)

Population increase/decrease

• Typically hunted for sport and for their horns which are carved into curiosities such as drinking vessels, ornaments, weapons and used in traditional Asian medicine (TCM), the Indian rhino was almost hunted to extinction. By the early 1900s, numbers totalled less than 50 individuals. As a result of robust conservation programs, habitat protection, and increased security, over 4000 rhinos have been recorded today

• The Indian Rhino Vision 2020 (IRV 2020), established in 2005 for the purpose of increasing the population in Asam to 3000 individuals which were surpassed. Further, the Indian government has increased Orang National Park by 200 square kilometers to provide a wider landscape corridor for rhinos and other threatened species between Laokhowa and Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuaries for rhinos and other threatened species

• Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on January 2, 2023, that no rhinos had been poached in India in 2022, the first year without poaching in four decades

Current range, habitat & diet

• Current range: Found only in India, Bhutan and Nepal. Approximately 80% of the population are found in 7 national parks and sanctuaries in India with around 752 individuals residing in Chitwan, Bardia and Shuklaphanta National Parks, Nepal. In addition to crossing the Himalayan foothills, rhinos are also known to cross into Bhutan from Manas National Park

• Habitat: tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, shrub lands, swamps and forests

• Diet: Fruits, leaves, long grasses, aquatic plants and sometimes farm crops

Historic range

• Once prolific across the North Indian River Plain a 700-thousand km2 region encompassing the Indian subcontinent, including most of northern and eastern India, around half of Pakistan, Bangladesh and the southern plains of Nepal, as well as the Brahmaputra River basins, from Pakistan to the Indian-Myanmar border and possibly into southern China

Average lifespan

• 35-40 years in the wild. In November 2017, Randa, a captive rhino at the Los Angeles Zoo died at the age of 48. She was the oldest rhinoceros alive at the time of her death

Physical characteristics

• A grey bulbous body with heavy skin folds, especially at the base of the neck and patches of tubercles (small, warty outgrowths)

• Indian rhinos have poor eyesight, but good hearing and sense of smell

• Female weight: Approximately 1,600 kg

• Femalle height (to shoulder): 150-170 cm

• Male height (to shoulder): 160-190 cm

• Male weight: Approximately 2,200 kg

• Speed: Up to 34 mph

Reproduction

• First birth: 6-8 years

• Gestation: 15-16 months

• Birth numbers: Single calf

• Calf weight: Approximately 35-70 kg

• Weaned: 12-18 months

• Birth interval: 3-4 years

• Despite not having natural predators, tiger predation has been documented and despite being rare, is on the rise. Tigers have, however, been known to frequently kill calves under a year old

• Female sexual maturity: 5 years

• Male sexual maturity: 9 years

Social characteristics

• Males are largely solitary and fiercely territorial and will use middens (dung piles) to define their territories and coat their feet with feces to create a scent trail

• Females also tend to be solitary when they are without calves

• They have at least 10 distinct vocalisations including; shrieking, groaning, snoring, squeak-panting, rumbling, bleating, honking, moo-grunting, humphing and snorting

Rhino horns

• Horn length: Averages 25 cm, but can grow to around 57 cm

• Horn weight: Approximately 3 kg