- About One-Horned Rhino: The Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), also known as the Indian rhinoceros, is a large herbivorous mammal native to the Indian subcontinent; they have a single horn on the snout, which distinguishes them from African rhinoceros species that typically have two horns.
- Rhino Species: There are five recognized species of rhinoceros, and the Greater One-Horned Rhino (Indian Rhino) is one of them. Each species has unique characteristics and is found in specific regions of Africa and Asia.
- White Rhinoceros: Two subspecies – Southern white rhinoceros (C. simum simum) and Northern white rhinoceros (C. simum cottoni, critically endangered). Southern white rhino is the most numerous, found mainly in southern Africa.
- Black Rhino: Known for its hooked upper lip; smaller of the two African species; distributed across Africa.
- Greater One-Horned Rhino (Indian Rhino): Found in India and Nepal; single horn and distinctive skin folds.
- Sumatran Rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis): Found in Sumatra and Borneo; smallest rhino species; critically endangered.
- Javan Rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus): Found in Java, Indonesia; one of the rarest large mammals; critically endangered.
- One-Horned Rhino Distribution (Global): Northern Indian subcontinent; primarily in India and Nepal; occasional sightings in Bhutan and Bangladesh.
- One-Horned Rhino in India: Historically, Indian rhinos ranged across northern India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and possibly parts of Myanmar, southern China, and Indochina, following the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra basins. Habitat loss and climate changes reduced their range, and by the 19th century, they were mainly confined to the Terai grasslands of southern Nepal, northern Uttar Pradesh, northern Bihar, northern West Bengal, and Assam. Today, they are restricted to small habitats in Assam, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh.
- National Parks: Kaziranga National Park; Manas National Park; Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary; Orang National Park; Jaldapara National Park; Gorumara National Park; Dudhwa National Park.
- Biosphere Reserve: Sundarban Biosphere Reserve.
- State Animal: State Animal of Assam.
- Habitat: Tall grasslands, floodplain grasslands, swamps, savannas, riverine forests; near water bodies; altitude range 100–1,500 m.
- Physical Features: Single horn made of keratin; grey-brown thick armor-like skin with folds and rivet-like bumps; prehensile upper lip for grasping vegetation; short tail with tuft; stocky limbs; hump on back of neck.
- Size & Weight:
- Body length: 3.68–3.80 m; shoulder height: 1.63–1.93 m.
- Males: 2,000–2,300 kg
- Females: 1,600–1,800 kg
- Diet: Herbivorous; grazes on grasses, leaves, branches, fruits, and aquatic plants; drinks water regularly; crepuscular feeding.
- Behaviour: Mostly solitary; territorial males; loose aggregations near water or grazing grounds; enjoys mud-wallowing and bathing; crepuscular; excellent swimmers; communicates through snorts, honks, roars, bleats, and grunts.
- Reproduction: Breeding not strictly seasonal; peak in monsoon; gestation ~16 months; single calf per birth; twins rare; maternal care strong; sexual maturity: females 4–6 years, males 7–10 years.
- Lifespan: 40–50 years in the wild; up to 50–60 years in captivity.
- Running Speed: Indian rhinos can run at speeds of up to 55 km/h (34 mph) for short bursts. This speed is impressive given their large size, but it’s not sustained over long distances.
- Population: Global population ~4,014 individuals; India: 3,262, Nepal: 752.
- Population in India:
- Assam: 2,885 (Kaziranga 2,613; Orang 125; Pobitora 107; Manas 40)
- West Bengal: 339 (Jaldapara 287; Gorumara 52)
- Uttar Pradesh: 38 (Dudhwa)
- Protection Status:
- IUCN Status: Vulnerable
- CITES: Appendix I
- Indian Legal Protection: Schedule I, Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
- Conservation Initiatives: Indian Rhino Vision 2020; National Rhino Conservation Strategy 2019; DNA profiling project; rhino translocations to Manas and other parks; expansion of Orang National Park corridor.
- Major Threats: Poaching for horns; habitat loss and fragmentation; human-wildlife conflict; disease; lack of genetic diversity; political instability; illegal wildlife trade.
Difference between Indian rhino and African rhino
| Feature | Indian Rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) | African Rhino |
|---|---|---|
| Common Species | One-horned rhinoceros | Two main species: White rhino & Black rhino |
| Number of Horns | Single horn | Two horns (front horn larger) |
| Skin | Thick, grey-brown skin with deep folds resembling armor plating | Grey skin, less folded, smoother than Indian rhino |
| Size | Males: 2,200–3,000 kg; Females: 1,600–2,400 kg | White rhino: 2,000–2,300 kg; Black rhino: 800–1,400 kg |
| Height | 1.7–2 m at shoulder | White rhino: 1.5–1.8 m; Black rhino: 1.4–1.8 m |
| Length | 3–4 m | White rhino: 3.4–4 m; Black rhino: 3–3.75 m |
| Habitat | Grasslands, floodplains, and forests of India and Nepal | Savannas, grasslands, and bushlands of Africa |
| Diet | Herbivore, primarily grazes on grasses, leaves, and fruits | White rhino: grazer (grass); Black rhino: browser (shrubs, leaves, shoots) |
| Behavior | Mostly solitary, except females with calves | White rhino: social, often in groups; Black rhino: solitary and territorial |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | White rhino: Near Threatened; Black rhino: Critically Endangered |
| Geographical Range | India (Assam, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh) & Nepal | Sub-Saharan Africa: South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, etc. |
FAQs
Q. In which country is the Greater One-Horned Rhino found?
A. The Greater One-Horned Rhino (also called the Indian Rhino) is found primarily in India and Nepal. In India, they inhabit the grasslands and swamps of the Terai region and the Brahmaputra Basin. In Nepal, they are found in the Terai lowlands, particularly in protected national parks.
Q. Is the Greater One-Horned Rhino found only in India? / Is it only found in Nepal?
A. No, the Greater One-Horned Rhino is not exclusive to either country. It is primarily found in India, but its range also extends into Nepal. In both countries, these rhinos live in grasslands and swampy areas of the Terai region and the Brahmaputra Basin.
Q. Where are 90% of Indian rhinoceroses found?
A. About 90% of the Indian rhinoceros population is found in Assam, northeastern India. Most of these rhinos live in protected areas, with Kaziranga National Park being the primary stronghold. Other important sites in Assam include Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Orang National Park, and Manas National Park.
Q. One-horned rhino is found in which national park? / Is Kaziranga National Park famous for one-horned rhino?
A. The One-Horned Rhino is mainly found in Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India. Other Indian parks include Pobitora, Orang, and Manas. In Nepal, they are in Chitwan and Bardia National Parks.
Q. Which sanctuary is famous for one-horned rhinoceros? / Which sanctuary in Assam is famous for rhinoceros?
A. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam, India, is well-known for its population of Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros.
Q. What is the IUCN status of one-horned rhino?
A. The Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, indicating it faces a high risk of extinction in the wild.