10 essential facts about rhinos ►

7/29/2019 10 Essential Facts About Rhinos

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10 Essential Facts

About Rhinos

savingrhinos.org

Saving Rhinos LLC | PO Box 750144 | Petaluma, CA 94975-0144 | savingrhinos.org | rhinoconservation.org


2/13

Rhinos have the unfortunate distinction

of being one of the

most endangered animals on earth.

Over the last 40 years, the worlds rhinoceros population has declined by over 90% - and if not for 100years of dedicated conservation efforts, it is likely that all rhinoceros species would already be extinct.

But those efforts are now at risk. The illegal trade in rhino horn has risen sharply over the last few yearsas demand from China and Vietnam - where rhino horn is prized as a medicine - has grown to an

unprecedented level. Public awareness about the effect of the continued use of illegal rhino horn intraditional Chinese medicine is desperately needed.

To help raise public awareness about rhinos and the dangers they are facing, here are 10 essentiafacts about rhinos for you to enjoy - and share.

Thank you for helping me raise public awareness about the illegal trade in rhino horn.

-Rhishja Larson


3/13

savingrhinos.org

Rhino

Fact1

There are ve species of rhinoceros.

African Rhino Species Asian Rhino Species

Black rhino, Dicerosbicornis

White rhino,

Ceratotherium simum

Greater one-horned(Indian) rhino,Rhinoceros unicornis

Sumatran rhino,Dicerorhinus sumatrensis

Javan rhino, Rhinocerossondaicus


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The white rhino and greater one-horned rhinoweigh about 4,000 - 6,000 pounds, stand roughly6 feet high at the shoulder, and are 12 - 15 feet inlength. These two rhino species are the second

largest land mammals after the elephant.

The smallest rhino species is the Sumatran rhinostanding just 3 - 5 feet at the shoulder. The blackrhino weighs in at 1,750 - 3,000 pounds, standing

about 5 feet at the shoulder, and reaching 10 - 12feet in length. The Javan rhino weighs about 2,000- 5,000 pounds, stands 5 - 5.5 feet at the shoulderand reaches 11.5 feet in length. The Vietnamesesubspecies of Javan rhino is smaller - about the sizeof the Sumatran rhino.

savingrhinos.org

Rhino

Fact2


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Despite their large size, rhinos are fast

and agile: They can run 30 mph for shortdistances and turn on a dime.

Rhino

Fact3savingrhinos.org


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RhinoFact4

savingrhinos.org

Extensive scientic testing has conrmed thatrhino horn is NOT medicine.

The continued use of illegal rhino horn in traditionaChinese medicine is pushing this species closer toextinction. The demand for rhino horn is fullled by

organized crime syndicates operating throughouAfrica, China, and Southeast Asia.

Unfortunate superstitions and myths attributemedicinal properties to the rhinos horn. Illegal rhino

horn is sold in Vietnam and China (both online and intraditional medicine shops) as a remedy for painfever, acne, laryngitis, mumps, herpes, epilepsyand even cancer.

Shankar Chaudhary/NTNC


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The front horn of the African rhino speciescan reach over 4 feet in length, while the Asianrhino species have smaller horns, typicallyless than two feet in length.

The horn is comprised of keratin, the same materiaas hair and ngernails.

At some rhino sanctuaries, the horns are removed

in an effort to protect the rhinos from being killedfor their horns. However, this method of protectingrhinos remains controversial.

savingrhinos.org

Rhino

Fact5


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Rhinos have three toes on each foot.

Although rhinos - along with hippos and elephants

- are referred to as pachyderms, rhinos are actuallymore closely related to tapirs and horses.

Rhinos, tapirs, and horses are found in the order

Perissodactyla (odd-toed ungulates).

savingrhinos.org

Rhino

Fact6


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A group of rhinos is called a crash.

A crash of white rhinos, greater one-hornedrhinos, and black rhinos typically consists offemales, calves and perhaps subadult offspringJavan and Sumatran rhinos are thought to remainsolitary, except when a female is caring for a calf

Male rhinos of all species are generally loners

however, territories may overlap.

Photo credit: PARC/Nepal rhinonepal.org

savingrhinos.org

Rhino

Fact7

PARC/Nepal rhinonepal.org


10/13

RhinoFact8

savingrhinos.org

Rhinos are intelligent.

Rhinos living in zoos require plenty of menta

stimulation for good health. Captive rhinos are

trained using treats and clickers to understand

several commands, so that keepers and vets can

perform thorough health examinations - especiallythe sensitive feet. Rhinos also learn their names

and most of them enjoy human attention, such as

a good scratch.

Captive rhinos have even learned to paint and

play fetch.


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savingrhinos.org

Rhino

Fact9

Two subspecies of rhino have fewer than

10 individuals surviving. Two additionasubspecies consist of fewer than 100 rhinos.

Just seven Northern white rhinos (Ceratotheriumsimum cottoni) are left in the world. The

Vietnamese subspecies (Rhinoceros sondaicusannamiticus) of the Javan rhino has a populationof perhaps four or ve wild rhinos. The mostnumerous Javan rhino subspecies (Rhinocerossondaicus sondaicus) consists of about 48wild rhinos. It is believed there are only about50 Borneo rhinos (Dicerorhinus sumatrensisharrissoni) still surviving.


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Status and populations of the livingrhino species (2010):

Critically Endangered Javan RhinoPossibly 48

Critically Endangered SumatranRhino: Approx. 200

Critically Endangered Black Rhino:About 4,860

Vulnerable Greater One-Horned(Indian) Rhino: Approx. 2,949 Near Threatened Southern White

Rhino: Approx. 20,600

Rhino

Fact10savingrhinos.org


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savingrhinos.org

Please take a few moments to help raise public awareness about the illegal trade in rhino horn.

You can share information about the illegal rhino horn trade using social media tools such as blogs, Twitter,Facebook, Digg and more.

Saving Rhinospublishes articles, web content, and printable communication materials that are easy to share.

Thank you for sharing this urgent message: Rhino horn is NOT medicine.

Learn more at

savingrhinos.org & rhinoconservation.org

How can helpRHINOSYOU

Contact: Saving Rhinos LLCPO Box 750144 | Petaluma, CA 94975-0144

savingrhinos.org | rhinoconservation.org

10 essential facts about rhinos ►

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