|
Rhinocerotidae
|
||

| The rhinoceros is any of five surviving species of odd-toed ungulates in the family Rhinocerotidae. Two species are native to Africa and three to southern Asia. Four of the five species are critically endangered, and the other, the Indian Rhinoceros, is endangered. The family is characterised by large size with all of the species capable of reaching one ton or more in weight; herbivorous diet; and a thick protective skin, 1.5-5 cm thick, formed from layers of collagen positioned in a lattice structure; relatively small brains for mammals this size (400-600g); and its horn. Rhinoceros also have acute hearing and sense of smell, but poor eyesight over any distance, live to be about 50 years old or more. |
Copyright © 2005-2008 - Bernard Déry. All rights reserved. Reproduction prohibited without permission.