Rhinoceros unicornis
Indian rhinoceros

Found in northern Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Assam.

Alluvial plain is the primary and preferred habitat. Adjacent swamp and forest areas are also used.

Both male and female R. unicornis have a single dark horn on the nose measuring up to 529 mm, which is made from agglutinated hairs. Their skin has many loose folds, especially distinct around the neck region in males, which give the appearance of a suit of armor. The skin is covered with large tubercules.

Rhinoceros unicornis is usually solitary except for females with young. Loosely bound aggregations of a few individuals do occur, especially at wallowing grounds or foraging areas. There are loosely defined territories in males which are not well defended, and often these territories overlap. Occasionally rhino interactions are aggressive, characterized by charges, and horn clashes. Fighting between males is often a cause of death when population densities are high. Approximately 10 vocalizations are known for rhinos, including snorts, roars, and honks. Scent deposition is common, and often large communal dung heaps are formed.

The diet consists of grass, fruit, leaves, branches, aquatic plants, and cultivated crops. Tall reedy grasses are preferred to short species. The prehensile upper lip is used to curl around grass stems to bring them into the mouth. When eating aquatic plants, rhinos submerge their entire heads and tear the plant up by the roots. Foraging occurs at night, in early morning, or late afternoon to avoid the heat of the day. Rhinoceros unicornis drinks daily and is fond of mineral licks.

Rhinos have been know to injure crops by trampling and consumption. At one point, a government bounty was established to keep rhinos from ruining tea plantations. In addition, there are recorded fatalities as a result of an attacks by rhinos, usually when a mother with calf was startled.

Asian rhino horn can be sold for more than twice its weight in gold. After processing, it has been known to reach $30,000 per kg. The horn is used as a medicine and an aphrodesiac. Medicinal purposes are as a pain reliever and a fever suppressant. There are no scientific studies, however, that show that rhino horn is affective for any of these purposes. In addition to the horn, rhino hide, blood, urine, and dung also have economic value.

Total wild populations number 1700. Rhinoceros unicornis is severely threated by hunting activities due to the huge economic value of the horn. This species is listed endangered by the IUCN and USDI and is on Appendix 1 of CITES. Current projects are underway to reintroduced populations in areas where they have been extirpated. Such projects will only be successful if the reason for the initial downfall of rhinos --overhunting by humans--can be eliminated. Efforts to control poaching and illegal wildlife trade will help in the recovery of the Indian rhino. One population in Nepal is protected with 700 armed troops and rangers, almost 2 guards per rhino. Aside from overhunting, the loss of alluvial plain habitat to agriculture has resulted in a reduction of suitable rhino habitat.

Rhinos often wallow and bathe in the heat of the day. This is important both for thermoregulation and for avoiding flies.