One-horned rhinos – details and habitat
Basic Details
Scientific Name: Rhinoceros unicornis
Common Names: Indian rhinoceros, greater one-horned rhinoceros, great Indian rhinoceros
Size: Height: 5.75 - 6.5 feet; Length: 10- 12.5 feet;
Weight: 4,000-6,000 pounds
Distinguishing Feature: Single black horn about 8-25 inches long
Diet: Primarily graze on grasses, but also consume leaves, branches of shrubs and trees, fruit, and aquatic plants
Social Structure: Solitary, except when adult males or rhinos nearing adulthood gather at wallows or to graze
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Habitat
Preferred Habitat: Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands
Location: India and Nepal, particularly in the foothills of the Himalayas
Specific Areas: Indo-Nepal Terai, northern parts of West Bengal, and Assam
Habitat Requirements: Grasslands and wetlands, access to water, mineral licks
Additional Notes
One-horned rhinos are the fourth largest land animal.
They play an important role in their ecosystem by dispersing seeds and maintaining healthy grasslands.
They are threatened by poaching for their horns, which are used in traditional medicine.
Pobitora Wildlife sanctuary
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is a haven for majestic Indian rhinoceros.
Nestled in the lush green expanse of Assam, India.
This sanctuary is home to a significant population of these gentle giants.
Established in 1987, an area of 38.85 SqKm.
A diverse habitat of grasslands, wetlands, and scattered hills.
This unique ecosystem provides an ideal environment for a remarkable array of flora and fauna.
The sanctuary holds the distinction of having the highest density of Indian rhinoceroses in the world.
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is also home to a rich diversity of Elephants, leopards, wild boars, and barking deer are among the larger mammals that can be spotted here.
The sanctuary also serves as a crucial breeding ground for a variety of reptiles and birds, including the Great Indian Bustard, one of the world's heaviest flying birds.
The sanctuary's natural beauty is enhanced by the presence of the mighty Brahmaputra River, which flows along its southern boundary.
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