Animal
Indian rhinoceros
Deep skin folds and a single horn distinguish this inhabitant of Asian river landscapes.
Idioma del contenido
Warsaw Zoo keeps Indian rhinoceroses, including the females Jhansi and Shikari. This Asian species is recognised by its single horn and deep skin folds. The large surfaces on its body resemble pieces of armour, but they are living skin rather than separate hard plates.
The Indian rhinoceros naturally inhabits wet landscapes in northern India and Nepal. Its broad muzzle has a small grasping lip. It eats grasses and other plants, choosing from the food available in its surroundings. Its massive build belongs to a plant-eater rather than a specialised hunter.
Mud bathing protects the skin from sunlight and insect bites while also helping the animal cool down. These functions are useful in a warm, humid environment. Thick rhinoceros skin is sensitive, so a layer of mud has a practical purpose beyond simply making the animal dirty.
Rhinoceroses have poor eyesight but good hearing. Their ears can turn independently to pick up sounds from different directions. In Asian rhinoceroses, enlarged incisors also play a role in defence and fighting. The short horn is therefore only one of the features used when confronting a rival.
Para niños
An Indian rhinoceros looks like an animal wearing armour. Its apparent armour is made of folds of skin, not separate hard plates. It has one horn on its nose. Warsaw's females of this species are called Jhansi and Shikari.
In the wild, Indian rhinoceroses live in India and Nepal. They eat grasses and other plants. A small grasping lip helps them collect food. Despite their enormous bodies, they do not hunt other animals.
Mud is very useful to them. It helps cool the body and shields the skin from sunlight and insects. A rhinoceros does not see very well, but it hears well. Each ear can point in a different direction. Even when it stands quietly, moving ears may show that it is listening to what is happening around it.
Pregunta 1 de 2
What gives an Indian rhinoceros its armoured appearance?
- Ubicación
- Indian rhinoceros - location on the zoo map.