Rhinoceros
A rhinoceros is a large, thick-skinned herbivorous mammal in the family Rhinocerotidae.
A rhinoceros is a large, thick-skinned herbivorous mammal in the family Rhinocerotidae. Living rhinos are found in Africa and Asia, and all five extant species are considered threatened or endangered.
Classification
Rhinoceroses are mammals in the order Perissodactyla and the family Rhinocerotidae. They are the only living family in the superfamily Rhinocerotoidea.
Species and range
Five extant species survive today: black, white, greater one-horned, Javan, and Sumatran rhinoceroses. They occur in parts of Africa and Asia.
Physical characteristics
Rhinoceroses are heavy-bodied, thick-skinned herbivores with one or two horns on the snout and three toes on each foot. Their horns are keratin-based rather than bone.
Conservation status
Rhinos were driven close to extinction in the 20th century by hunting and habitat loss. Current species remain under significant conservation pressure.
Key facts
- Rhinoceroses are odd-toed ungulates in the family Rhinocerotidae.
- There are five living species of rhinoceros, two in Africa and three in Asia.
- All living rhino species are threatened, endangered, or critically endangered.
- Rhinoceroses have one or two horns made of keratin.
- The term is often shortened to 'rhino.'
Rhinoceroses are relevant to Canadian readers through conservation, zoo education, and international wildlife protection efforts involving threatened species.
Frequently asked questions
What is a rhinoceros?
How many living species of rhinoceros are there?
Where do rhinoceroses live?
Do all rhinoceroses have horns?
Are rhinoceroses endangered?
References
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RhinocerosSupports: General classification, common name, living species count, and family placement.
- Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/environment/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/rhinocerosesSupports: Physical traits, number of species, and habitat range in Africa and Asia.
- Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/animal/rhinoceros-mammalSupports: Definition as a family of giant horn-bearing herbivores and summary of species.
- Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/environment/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/rhinoceroses-rhinocerotidaeSupports: Three toes, horn description, and conservation status by species.
- PBS Nature — https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/blog/rhinoceros-fact-sheet/Supports: Order, family, species list, and the presence of five living species in Africa and Asia.