Great Indian Rhinoceros

Next to the African white rhinoceros, the great Indian rhinoceros is the second largest species of the rhinocerotidae family. While other species commonly grow two horns composed of hardened skin, both the male and female great Indian rhinoceros possess only a single horn. Therefore, the Indian rhinoceros is known as the “single- horned rhinoceros”. It is believed that the species’ physically unique characteristics inspired the advent of the unicorn of folklore. The Indian rhinoceros’ body is completely covered with hard brownish-gray skin, which resembles plates of armor. The species is sometimes called the “armored rhinoceros”. The creature is also characterized by its folded skin protrusions around its shoulders and rump. In addition, the rhinoceros has a long, pointed, prehensile upper lip, which facilitates the grabbing of branches and grasses, the animal’s main diet. The rhinoceros is generally a solitary animal, living away from its fellows.
The male and female associate only during the estrous cycle. After a gestation period of 15 to 16 months, one offspring is produced.

Habitat

The great Indian rhinoceros inhabits marshy areas and dry forests in India and Nepal.
The species often spends the daytime in the water, preferring to wallow in the water or mud. The great Indian rhinoceros has suffered from the large market for its skin and for its horn, prized as an antipyretic and aphrodisiac. Filling the demand for this market,continuous poaching of the Indian rhinoceros eventually resulted in a drastic decrease in number of the species. Moreover, the deforestation of the species’ habitat due to land development has also contributed to the creature’s endangerment. The great Indian rhinoceros has been gradually increasing under man’s protection since 1966, when approximately 700 to 800 individuals were found in a survey. It is currently presumed that approximately 2,000 of the species exist.