Friday, November 30, 2018

RHINOCEROSES

RHINOCEROSES



* The rhinoceros is a large mammal native to Africa and Asia. There are five species of rhino found in the world with 3 out of the 5 species of rhino now considered to be critically endangered. The rhino is thought to be the second biggest land mammal in the world behind the African elephant.


* Rhinoceroses are characterized by the possession of one or two horns  on the upper surface of the snout; these horns are not true horns but are composed of keratin, a fibrous protein found in hair.

* Modern rhinoceroses are large animals, ranging from 2.5 metres (8 feet) long and 1.5 metres (5 feet) high at the shoulder in the Sumatran rhinoceros  to about 4 metres (13 feet) long and nearly 2 metres (7 feet) high in the white rhinoceros.

* Adults of larger species weigh 3–5 tons. Rhinoceroses are noted for their thick skin, which forms platelike folds, especially at the shoulders and thighs. All rhinos are gray or brown in colour, including the white rhinoceros, which tends to be paler than the others.

* Aside from the Sumatran rhinoceros, they are nearly or completely hairless, except for the tail tip and ear fringes, but some fossil species were covered with dense fur. The feet of the modern species have three short toes, tipped with broad, blunt nails.

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IRRAWADDY DOLPHIN