7 Facts You Didn't Know About Rhinos
Written by Daryll Williams
Rhinos - with their awe-inducing presence and unique appearance - are some of the most fascinating animals on the planet. They are massive, prehistoric-looking beasts and are a part of the mighty Big 5. Sadly, they are one of the most threatened species on the planet.
In honour of these magnificent creatures and the threats they continue to face, here is a list of 7 incredible rhino facts:
1. There are a few different kinds of rhino
There are a total of 5 different kinds of rhinos. While you may think of them just wandering through Africa, they’re also found throughout Asia. Black rhinos and white rhinos are found in Africa - and the Sumatran, Javan, and Indian (or greater one-horned) rhinos are found in the tropical forests and swamps of Asia. They are native to eastern and southern Africa, as well as India, Nepal, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
2. Black and white rhinos are actually the same colour
The black and white rhinos are essentially greyish-brown in colour. One widely spread rumour suggests that white rhinos were originally called “wijd” (wide) by Dutch settlers in Africa, referring to the animal's wide mouth, which was then mistranslated into English as ‘white’. However, rhino expert Kees Rookmaaker has stated that there is no linguistic evidence to support that tale. It remains a mystery how the white rhino got its name.
3. They have a cool name, collectively
For the most part, the rhino is a solitary animal and they pretty much avoid one another. But some species, particularly the white rhino, can live in groups, known as a ‘crash’. They’re usually made up of a female and her calves, although sometimes other adult females hang in a crash, too.
4. They have sensitive skin
Even though they live in some of the hottest and sunniest climates, their skin isn’t that well equipped to handle it. Rhinos can sunburn easily and are also susceptible to bad bug bites. To remedy this, rhinos often take mud baths to put a protective layer between their skin and the sun as well as pestering bugs.
5. Their horns never stop growing
Rhino horns are not attached to the their skulls, and like hair or fingernails, they continue to grow throughout the animal’s life cycle. The longest rhino horn ever recorded belonged to a white rhino and measured approximately 1.5 m!
6. Their best friends are birds
While they tend to stick to themselves, rhinos often make an exception for oxpeckers. According to Live Science, the oxpecker will sit on a rhino’s back and eat the bugs that crawl on its skin. The bird will also call out when danger approaches.
7. They risk extinction
Just a century ago, there were more than half a million rhinos around the world. Now, around 30.000 survive in the wild, and this decrease in numbers is largely due to poaching. All 5 species of rhino are in danger, but 3 are considered critically endangered: Sumatran, Javan, and black rhinos. Today, there are about 60 remaining Javan rhinos, fewer than 100 Sumatran rhinos, and about 5.500 black rhinos.
There is some good news, though. Thanks to conservation efforts, black and white rhino numbers have increased in recent years, with the white rhino having been "brought back from the brink of extinction," according to a quote from a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) article.
