Indian Rhinoceros
Scientific Name: Rhinoceros unicornis
Physical Features: Indian Rhinos have thick, armor-like gray skin with prominent folds, and a single horn that can grow up to 60 cm. They are large animals, weighing between 1,800 and 2,500 kg, with a height of around 1.75 meters at the shoulder.
Habitat: They inhabit the grasslands, wetlands, and alluvial plains of northern India and Nepal, primarily in Kaziranga National Park in Assam.
Behavior: Indian Rhinos are generally solitary except during mating or when mothers care for their young. They are herbivores, primarily feeding on grasses, but they also consume leaves, fruit, and aquatic plants. They spend much of their time wallowing in mud to keep cool and avoid parasites.
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Unique Traits: Their single horn, made of keratin, continues to grow throughout their life. Despite their bulk, they can run at speeds of up to 40 km/h for short distances.
Communication: Rhinos communicate using vocalizations like grunts, growls, and snorts. They also mark their territory with dung piles and use body language like charging to ward off threats.
Breeding and Reproduction: Females give birth to a single calf after a gestation period of about 16 months. Calves stay with their mothers for up to three years.
Ecological Importance: Indian Rhinos play an important role in maintaining the grasslands where they live. Their grazing helps control vegetation and promotes plant diversity.