Rhinoceros

Posted December 22nd, 2007 by Anonymous

The Rhinoceros (IPA: /raɪˈnɒsərəs/ ), often colloquially abbreviated rhino , is one of only five surviving species of odd-toed ungulates in the family Rhinocerotidae . Two of these species are native to Africa and three to southern Asia. Three of the five species -- the (Black, Javan and Sumatran Rhinoceros) -- are critically endangered, and another, the Indian Rhinoceros, is endangered.

The rhinoceros family is characterised by large size (one of the few remaining megafauna surviving today) with all of the species capable of reaching one ton or more in weight; herbivorous diet; and a thick protective skin, 1.5-5 cm thick, formed from layers of collagen positioned in a lattice structure; relatively small brains for mammals this size (400-600g); and its large and frightening horn. They generally eat leafy material, although their ability to ferment food in their hindgut allows them to subsist on more fibrous plant matter, if necessary. Unlike other perissodactyls, the African species of rhinoceros lack teeth at the front of their mouths, relying instead on their powerful premolar and molar teeth to grind up plant food. The dental formula varies greatly between species, but in general is:

The rhino is prized for its horn. The horns of a rhinoceros are made of keratin, the same type of protein that makes up hair, but the horn is not itself made of hair as previously believed. Rhinoceros also have acute hearing and sense of smell, but poor eyesight. Most rhinoceros live to be about 60 years old or more. The collective noun for a group of rhinoceros is "crash".

Both African species and the Sumatran Rhinoceros have two horns, while the Indian and Javan Rhinoceros have a single horn.

Additional comments about Rhinoceros.

A Sumatran rhinoceros has been photographed in peninsular Malaysia in the first sighting for more than a decade, raising hopes the animal can avoid extinction, a report said Sunday.

A Sumatran rhinoceros has been photographed in peninsular Malaysia in the first sighting for more than a decade, raising hopes the animal can avoid extinction.

Animal welfare advocates have joined a chorus of voices denouncing Brigham Young University's acquisition of a white rhinoceros skin through a recent hunting expedition to Africa.

About rhinoceros

In an ironic twist, a rare white rhinoceros was hunted in Africa for the sake of educating the US public about endangered species.

Rhinoceros - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Rhinoceros ( IPA : /raɪˈnɒsərəs/ ), often colloquially abbreviated rhino , is one of any five surviving species of odd-toed ungulates in the family Rhinocerotidae

Rhinoceros (play) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rhinoceros ( French original title Rhinocéros ) is a play by Eugène Ionesco , written in 1959 . The play belongs to the school of drama known as the theatre of the absurd

Rhinoceros -- Kids' Planet -- Defenders of Wildlife

Includes information about the life span, size, habitat, and diet of the rhinoceros.

Rhinoceros, The Elektra Supergroup

Rhinoceros, The Elektra Supergroup ... This is a site about the U.S. sixties "super" group RHINOCEROS. Signed to ELEKTRA, the group made three albums: Rhinoceros (1968), Satin ...