Key Facts about Greater One-Horned Rhino

About Greater One-Horned Rhino:

• The greater one-horned rhino, also known as Indian rhinoceros, is the largest of the three Asian rhinos and, together with African white rhinos, is the largest of all rhino species.
• Scientific Name: Rhinoceros unicornis
• Distribution:
  • It can be found in India and Nepal, particularly in the foothills of the Himalayas.
  • In the past, Greater one-horned rhinos roamed freely in the floodplains and forests alongside the Brahmaputra, Ganges, and Indus River valley.
  • Kaziranga National Park in Assam, India, contains the largest population (2,401).
• Habitat: Greater one-horned rhinos are semi-aquatic and often take up residence in swamps, forests, riversides, and anywhere that is near nutritious mineral licks.
• Features:
  • The largest of the Asian rhinos, male Indian rhinos weigh approximately 2,200 kg (nearly 4,840 pounds) and range in height from 170 to 186 cm (67 to 73 inches) and are 368 to 380 cm (145 to 150 inches) long. 
  • It is identified by a single black horn about 8-25 inches long and a grey-brown hide with skin folds, which gives it an armor-plated appearance.
  • The species is solitary, except for females with small calves. Males maintain loosely defended territories.
  • The rhino is primarily a grazer. Its diet consists almost entirely of grasses, but it also eats leaves, branches, fruit, and aquatic plants.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

Q1: What is a floodplain?

A floodplain (or floodplain) is a generally flat area of land next to a river or stream. It stretches from the banks of the river to the outer edges of the valley.

Source: ‘Assam records 86% drop in rhino poaching since 2016’