Indian Rhinoceros - Characteristics

Characteristics

Among terrestrial land mammals native to Asia, the Indian rhinoceros is second in size only to the Asian elephant. This heavily built species is also the second largest living rhinoceros, behind only the White Rhinoceros. Males have average head and body length of 368–380 cm (12.07–12.5 ft) with a shoulder height of 170–185 cm (5.6–6.07 ft) while females have an average head and body length of 310–340 cm (10.2–11.2 ft) and have a shoulder height of 147–173 cm (4.82–5.68 ft). Females weigh around 1,600 kg (3,500 lb) on average, and males typically weigh 2,000–2,130 kg (4,400–4,700 lb). The skull is heavy with a basal length above 60 cm (24 in) and an occiput above 19 cm (7.5 in).

The largest sized specimens can range up to 4,000 kg (8,800 lb).

The rhino's single horn is present in both males and females, but not on newborn young. The black horn is pure keratin, like human fingernails, and starts to show after about 6 years. In most adults, the horn reaches a length of about 25 cm (9.8 in), but has been recorded up to 57.2 cm (22.5 in) in length. The nasal horn is slightly back-curved with a base of about 18.5 cm (7.3 in) by 12 cm (4.7 in) that rapidly narrows until a smooth, even stem part begins about 55 mm (2.2 in) above base. In captive animals, the horn is frequently worn down to a thick knob.

The Indian rhinoceros has thick, silver-brown skin, which becomes pinkish near the large skin folds that cover its body. Its upper legs and shoulders are covered in wart-like bumps. It has very little body hair, aside from eyelashes, ear-fringes and tail-brush. Males develop thick neck-folds.