Indian Rhinoceros

Indian Rhinos are unlike most other rhinos.  They have just one horn.  Their scientific name, unicornis, means one horn.  Male Indian Rhinos have large sharp tusk-like incisor teeth.  They use these to battle with other males at breeding time.  They are also the most aquatic of all of the rhinos.  They wade and swim with ease.

Physical Description

These are very large Rhinos.  They can reach up to 12 feet in length and weigh up to 5,000 pounds.  They are grayish brown in color.  Indian Rhinos have thick heavy folds of skin, which look like armor plating.  They also have lumps on these folds called tubercles.  These tubercles look like rivets, giving the rhino the appearance of a tank.

Family Life

Indian Rhino mothers normally have 1 calf.  This calf will remain with its mother until her next calf is born, which may be 3 years later.  At that time, the young rhino will start life on its own.  Adult Indian Rhinos live alone.  We call them solitary animals.

Diet

Grasses, shrubs and aquatic plants