The Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), is also known as the ‘Greater One-horned Rhinoceros’. The Indian rhino once inhabited areas from Pakistan to Burma and may have even roamed in China.

However, because of human influence, their range has shrunk and now they only exist in small populations in northeastern India and Nepal. Find out more in the following article!

The Indian Rhinoceros is the largest of the three Asian rhinos. The Indian Rhinoceros has a single black horn which is present in both male and female species and a grey hide with pinkish skin folds, which give it an armour-plated appearance. Male Indian rhinos show enormous development of the neck folds.

Male Indian rhinos can breed at 9 years of age and female Indian rhinos reach sexual maturity at 5 years and have their first calves when between 6 and 8 years. The female whistles when in season so that males know when she is ready to mate. The gestation period is about 16 months.

A single calf is born at intervals of about 3 years. Mother rhinos are attentive and protective, the young stay with their mother for several years. Females and their young travel together, however, males usually travel alone and are territorial.

The Indian rhino grows to be 6 feet tall and weighs between 4000 and 6000 pounds. The Indian rhinos life span is between 35 – 45 years. These rhinos are great swimmers and on land can run up to 35 miles an hour for a short time. The Indian rhino has excellent hearing and smell, however, it has poor eyesight.