VMD 512: Zoo/Wild Animal Breeding, Management, Nutrition and Health Care (1+1)

RHINOCEROSES

• These wild animals belong to the Rhinocerotidae family. The rhinoceroses have following common features general:
  • Massive body
  • Short leg that end on broad, three-toed feet.
  • Horny pads of the feet are delicate when compared to the size of the animal.
• Asiatic and African species of rhinoceroses are available, in general.

Asiatic species

• Three are four Asiatic species of rhinoceroses
  • Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus)
  • Sumatran rhinoceros (Didermocerus sumatrensis) :These are called as Asiatic two horned rhinoceroses.
  • Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis)

Indian rhinoceroses

• Among rhinoceroses, the Indian rhinoceroses are the ones that are most primitive in appearance with its armor like hide and small head and are one horned.
• The skin is having a rugged appearance with armor like plates on body.
• The animal is well distributed in the Gangetic plain. The animals are present in Assam and in parts of West Bengal.
• These animals are highly suited to the swampy tarai habitat. This is territorial in nature.

African rhinos

• There are two species of African rhinos, as quoted below:
  • White rhinoceros ( Didermocerus sinus)
  • Black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis)

Details	African rhinos	Asiatic rhino
Presence of horns	Two horns	Single horn
Length of horn	Lengthy	Short, comparatively
Incisors	Absent in both African   species	Present