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THE MAJESTIC RHINO

By Vikram Sridhar

Location : Chennai

E-mail : vikram420mech@yahoo.co.in

SUMATRAN RHINO

Biological name : Dicerorhinus sumatrensis

The Sumatran, a.k.a. the hairy rhino, is probably the most endangered of all rhinoceros species. Numbers have declined over 50% due to poaching over the last 15 years. Fewer than 300 Sumatran Rhino survive in very small and highly fragmented populations in Southeast Asia with Indonesia and Malaysia being the only significant range states. Furthermore, there is no indication that the situation is showing any signs of stabilizing.

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Weight:

The Sumatran rhino weighs 1000 - 2000 kg.

Habitat:

The Sumatran rhino can live in a wide variety of habitats, from lowland rain forests and swamps to mountain moss forests, where it can climb steep slopes with agility. It has been reported to prefer hilly areas near water, particularly steep upper valleys with thick undergrowth, as well as secondary forest where the upper canopy is broken and the smaller shrubs and vines on which it feeds are more numerous. Salt licks are an important habitat requirement for the Sumatran rhino. Each animal has a salt lick in its home range.The Sumatran rhino occurs in the Peninsular Malaysian Lowland & Montane Forests, Sumatran Montane Forests, and Sumatran-Nicobar Islands Lowland Forests.

Age to Maturity:

Females: 4 years.

Males: 7 years.

Gestaton Period:

475 days (captive)

Birth Rate:

The Sumatran rhino has one calf at a time.

Maximum Age:

A captive animal lived almost 33 years.

Diet:

The Sumatran rhino feeds mainly at night, browsing on a wide variety of vegetation including leaves, twigs, bark, fruit, smaller shrubs, canes and vines, with a majority of the plant species being characteristic of disturbed forest or forest edge in some areas, and of primary forest in other areas. Wild mangoes, bamboo and figs are especially favored. It breaks down saplings to feed on leaves and shoots. It is fond of salt and visits salt licks.

Behavior:

The Sumatran rhino spends much of the day in mud wallows. These wallows are usually created by the animals, with the surrounding 10 - 35 m (33 - 115') kept clear. The wallows are thought to help the rhino to avoid insect pests such as horseflies. In some areas the Sumatran rhino exhibits seasonal movements, staying in the hills when the lowlands are flooded and descending when the weather has become cool near the end of the rains. It can climb steep hills well. It can swim well and has been reported to swim in the sea.