Despite their enormous mass and aggressiveness, they are one of the most endangered animals on Earth.
Even in the mid-XNUMXth century, rhinoceroses were quite common in nature. They have no natural enemies and their greatest threat is humans. In recent years, thanks to the efforts of conservationists, the populations of these animals have been restored. We present a few facts about these majestic and dangerous mammals.
1
There are 5 types of rhinoceroses
Three of them are found in Asia (Indian rhinoceros, Javan rhinoceros and Sumatran rhinoceros) and two in Africa (white rhinoceros and black rhinoceros).
2
The only natural enemy of an adult rhinoceros is man.
3
In the 60s, there were 60 rhinoceroses in Africa.
In 1988, hunters and poachers reduced their numbers to about 2500. Thanks to the efforts of conservationists, there are now more than 5000 of them.
4
The average lifespan of rhinos is 35 to 40 years.
5
Three species of rhinoceroses are critically endangered.
These are: the black rhinoceros, the Sumatran rhinoceros and the Javan rhinoceros.
6
Javan and Indian rhinos each have one horn.
The remaining species have 2 horns.
7
Rhinoceroses can move at a speed of 50 km/h.
This is why an attacking rhino causes panic among other species. A charging rhinoceros can disperse a herd of elephants or interrupt the hunt of a pack of lions.
8
The white rhinoceros is the second largest land mammal.
With a weight of 3500 kg and a length of 4 meters, they are second only to elephants.
9
The closest relatives of rhinoceroses are horses, tapirs and zebras.
10
Rhino horn powder is used in traditional Chinese medicine.
This is the main reason for the decline in their numbers. Other threats to these mammals include habitat loss, competition from invasive plants that crowd out vegetation that rhinos eat, disease and inbreeding.
11
There are about 50 Javan rhinoceroses left.
This is the rarest species of land mammal on Earth.
12
The woolly rhinoceros appeared on Earth about 350 years ago.
It fed on lichens and herbs found in the tundra steppes. Like modern species, it lived alone or in small groups. Extinct about 10 years ago. We can see the woolly rhinoceros at the Natural History Museum of the Institute of Animal Systematics and Evolution of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Krakow. There is a very well preserved specimen with skin and soft tissues.
13
The energy needs of rhinoceroses are enormous.
They feed almost around the clock, taking breaks only to sleep.
14
Rhinoceros horns grow throughout their lives.
If the horn is broken, it will grow back after some time.
15
The first rhinoceroses appeared on Earth about 50 million years ago.
16
To protect rhinos from poachers, their horns are cut off.
