Rhinos are an incredibly important part of the animal kingdom. They are what we call a keystone species, meaning that their presence within the ecosystem has a disproportionate effect on other organisms within the ecosystem. As the rhino population decreases, we begin to see this effect on the plants and animals that surround them.
Even with this, rhinos are very misunderstood creatures. By breaking down the barriers of information around these beautiful animals, we can begin to protect these animals for the next generation.
Where are rhinos found?
All in all, there are 5 species of rhino, found in the continents of Africa and Asia. In Asia, there is the Greater One-Horned Rhino (India and Nepal), the Sumatran Rhino (islands of Sumatra and Borneo), and the Javan Rhino which can only be found in a protected area on the island of Java, Indonesia. In Africa, you can find the Black and White Rhinos living across South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Kenya.
They mainly live in shrublands and desert-like conditions. Rhinos, sadly, have a much harder chance surviving outside of wildlife reserves due to poaching and habitat loss.
When do rhinos sleep?
The sleeping habits of rhinos actually depend on their species! Some are diurnal, like the Black rhino. Diurnal means most of the animal’s activity is done during the day, like humans. White rhinos, on the other hand, are nocturnal. They do this as temperatures are much cooler during the night, and there may be a lower chance of persecution by predators and poachers. In general rhinos sleep for around 8 hours a day.
Do rhinos lay eggs?
No, they don’t. Rhinos are mammals, which means they give birth to live young. Rhinos have quite a slow reproduction rate, their gestation period is up to 13 months and they only give birth to one calf every 2-4 years. This makes conserving the species even more important.
Do rhino horns grow back?
They do! Rhino horns act the same way as fingernails, because they are both made of keratin. Studies have actually shown that rhino horns grow back faster on rhinos that have been dehorned than those that haven’t. Rhinos are dehorned usually every 18 months and the procedure is estimated to remove between 90% and 93% of horn mass.
Dehorning is done to protect the rhino as they are often killed by poachers for their horns, due to their use in traditional medicine.
What are a group of rhinos called?
A group of rhinos are called a crash or a herd!
What rhinos are extinct and which are endangered?
Sadly, since the beginning of the 20th Century, rhino population numbers have dropped dramatically. Mostly down to habitat loss and poaching, this has led to rhino species being put on the endangered species list or even classed as extinct. The Western Black Rhino and Northern White Rhino, for example, were recently declared extinct in the wild - the only two remaining Northern White Rhino are kept under 24-hour guard in Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya.
On the endangered species list are the likes of the Southern White Rhino. Once thought to be extinct, the population has increased and is now thriving in protected sanctuaries thanks to conservation efforts.
What can we do to protect the rhino?
There are a few ways in which we can help preserve this keystone species:
Choose products that don’t contain rhino horn
Support causes that focus on rhino conservation
Raise awareness for the plight of rhinos and the dangers of habitat loss and poaching
Be mindful of climate change and our effect on the environment
World Rhino Day is celebrated on the 22nd of September every year and aims to raise awareness of the hardships that rhinos experience, as well as giving an opportunity to advicate for rhino issues worldwide.
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