Interesting facts about rhinos Is a great opportunity to learn more about large mammals. Rhinos mainly live in the vastness of Africa and Asia. Today, the number of animals has significantly decreased due to large-scale poaching.
So, here are the most interesting facts about rhinos.
- To date, there are 5 known species of rhinos.
- Depending on the type of rhinoceros, it can have 1 or 2 horns.
- Did you know that the largest horn known to man was 158 cm long?
- In size, rhinos are second only to elephants (see interesting facts about elephants).
- Few people know that rhino horn is not made of bone, but keratin. In its composition, it is closer to human hair and nails.
- Due to the rapid decline in the rhino population, hunting animals is prohibited in all states of the world.
- On each leg of the mammal there are 3 toes, and on each toe there is one hoof.
- An interesting fact is that, on average, one rhino consumes about 50-80 kg of plant foods per day.
- The rhinoceros does not see well, but it has excellent sense of smell and hearing.
- Despite its size, the rhino can reach speeds of up to 60 km / h!
- Scientists claim that rhinos communicate with each other primarily through smells, not sounds.
- Some extinct rhino species did not have horns (see Fun Facts About Extinct Animals).
- In ancient times, woolly rhinos with hairy cover lived in the territory of modern Siberia.
- During the mating season, bloody fights for the female can occur between males.
- As of today, there are up to 57 extinct rhino species.
- Rhinos have super thick skin, reaching a thickness of 6 to 8 cm.
- Once in India, fighting rhinos were as popular as fighting elephants.
- An interesting fact is that rhinos deliberately fall out in the mud to avoid sunburn on their skin.
- The horns of some extinct rhino species could be up to 2 m in length.
- In addition to humans, in nature, adult rhinos no longer have enemies.
- Under natural conditions, the life span of a rhino is 35-40 years.
- The largest number of mammals is concentrated in South Africa.
- Did you know that the closest relatives of rhinos are tapirs, zebras and horses?
- The world's largest white rhino produces over 20 kg of manure per day.
- The pregnancy of the female is 15-18 months, after which 1 cub is born, which remains with the mother for 2.5 years.
- The female takes care of her offspring on her own, because immediately after mating, the male leaves.
- Men of different African tribes make strong shields from rhino skins.
- On the black market, rhino horn is worth the same as gold.