One of the most majestic animals in the world is the Rhinoceros or Rhino. These animals are incredibly strong and can send a lion flying into the air with a dangerous heave from their horn. Rhinos also have tough skin, making it durable against any sharp objects. Rhinos are also built to endure the harsh weather and terrain that they live in.
Mostly, you can find rhinos in the African continent, but you can find rhinos in some Asian countries as well. Sadly, human beings are poaching rhinos close to extinction. Rhinos don’t deserve to be hunted down. Instead, they deserve to roam the fields to live out their lives for people to admire them. With that said, here are some facts that you should know about this creature:
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The Smallest Rhino Is the Sumatran Rhino
When it comes to rhinos, most people often see them as massive, hulking animals. The Sumatran Rhino, however, is smaller than most of its giant cousins. These rhinos stand at least 4ft tall. They are even smaller than most cattle. Unlike their African cousins who have solid keratin on their skin, Sumatran rhinos have reddish hair on their bodies. These are just some of the most interesting rhino facts you should know about.
In the past, these rhinos naturally inhabited parts of India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and China. Due to persistent habitat destruction and hunting, these animals are now critically endangered today. As evidence of a dwindling population, you can only find wild Sumatran rhinos in Sumatra and Borneo.
They Have No Predators
Believe it or not, rhinos don’t have a natural predator. Due to their massive size, sharp horn, incredible strength, and tough skin, predators often avoid a fully grown rhino. It’s a rare occurrence if a predator can bring down such a beast. One such event was when a pack of lions successfully killed a juvenile white rhino at Mala Mala Game Reserve, South Africa.
The only real threat that rhinos face are humans. Sadly, the tough skin and their strength are no match for guns and bullets. Poachers often hunt these majestic animals for their horns or for game. Thankfully, some measures have been made to preserve these animals for the generations to come.
Rhino Horns Are Prized
Rhino horns are valuable but often for the wrong reasons. Mostly, poachers hunt and kill rhinos for their horns. They then sell these horns to the black market to be used as a medicine, raw material, or trophies. Technically, you can carefully cut a rhino’s horn without killing it. However, poachers often don’t have the time and resources to do so, which makes killing rhinos much easier for them.
Conservationists often dehorn rhinos to discourage poachers from hunting them. However, poachers persist as the stubs are just as valuable as a horn. Due to illegal poaching, Rhinoceros populations all over the world are dwindling. In some countries, rhinos are even declared extinct.
Lesotho’s National Animal Is the Black Rhino
Lesotho or the Kingdom of Lesotho is a small country near the southern border of South Africa. Basotho or people from Lesotho consider the Black Rhinoceros as their national animal because of its strength and endurance, a testament to their country’s values.
Black and White Rhinos Have the Same Color
Although these two species of rhino have the same color, their names are actually used to describe the tip of their lips. The lips of black rhinos are also sharper compared to white rhinos. The horns of black rhinoceros are much taller and pointier than white rhinos.
Takeaway
Whenever you talk about animals and strength, rhinos always come into mind. These massive animals roam the plains of Africa and the jungles of Asia. Although these creatures don’t have natural predators, poachers are driving these animals into extinction. Hopefully, conservation methods are taking place, which will help increase this animal’s population in the future.