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|  | Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Perissodactyla
Family: Rhinocerotidae
Genus: Rhinoceros
Species: unicornis
Height: 48 - 78 inches
Length: 156 inches
Weight: 3500 - 6000 lbs
Gestation: 485 days
Offspring: 1
Top Speed (Ground): 35 mph
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Greater Indian RhinocerosRhinoceros unicornis Also Called: Greater Asian Rhinoceros Eating (454 KB)
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The Greater Indian rhinoceros is one of the largest rhinoceroses. Unlike the other rhinoceroses, the Indian rhinoceros has only one horn. It's skin is a light gray color and it has many folds and bumps. This gives it a heavily armored appearance. The Indian rhinoceros is a forest dweller and an excellent swimmer. It can also run up to 35 miles per hour for a short time. It spends a lot of time wallowing in water and mud to protect its skin. The horn of the rhinoceros is made of keratin, the same substance our fingernails are made of.
Indian rhinoceroses are herbivorous . They browse, graze, and eat fruit and seeds.
The Indian rhinoceros at one time ranged throughout much of Southeast Asia. Today, most of the wild population is found in two protected areas. One area is in Nepal and the other in Assam, India. The Indian rhinoceros is confined to the tall grasslands and riverine forests in the foothills of the Himalayas.
Indian rhinoceroses are solitary creatures. However, they do congregate at bathing areas and wallowing holes. Also, a female rhinoceros will be accompanied by her calf for several years. Male rhinoceroses fight for dominance using their sharp lower teeth and not their horns. During these fights, their folds of skin help protect sensitive areas.
Young Indian rhinoceroses are born after a 16 month gestation period. They spend the first couple of years with their mother and are then weaned and they go off on their own. The male rhinoceros has nothing to do with the raising of young rhinoceroses.
Rhinoceroses have excellent hearing and smell but poor eyesight.
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