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Rhinos

Short answer: There are five living rhinoceros species: white and black in Africa, and Indian (greater one-horned), Javan and Sumatran in Asia.

The white rhino is one of the largest land mammals after elephants and has two subspecies, the southern white rhino and the northern white rhino, of which only two females are known to survive. Rhino skin is thick, about 1.5 to 5 cm. Their horns are made of keratin; African and Sumatran rhinos have two horns, while Indian and Javan rhinos have one. Poaching for horn and habitat loss are the main threats, and the Javan, Sumatran and black rhinos are listed as critically endangered. The footage shows rhinos in grassland and forest, with the presenter.

VideoWrite-up2 sources
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What should you know about Rhinos?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. There are five living rhino species.

    DD-142-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Five species)

  2. The white rhino has southern and northern subspecies.

    DD-142-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (White rhino)

Video transcript: Rhinos: A Rhino's Horn Is Made of the Same Stuff as Your Fingernails

Rhinoceroses are fascinating creatures with distinct features. DID YOU KNOW? There are five species of rhinos. White, Black, Indian, Javan, and Sumatran. The White Rhinoceros is the second largest land mammal after the elephant and has two subspecies. The Southern White Rhino and the critically endangered Northern White Rhino. Rhinos are known for their thick, armor-like skin, which can be up to 1.5 inches thick. They have two large horns made of keratin, the same substance found in human hair and nails. Sadly, rhinos face severe threats from poaching, habitat loss, and illegal wildlife trade. Conservation efforts are crucial to ensure the survival of these magnificent creatures. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 34.5s Reel ·

Video coming soonRhinos · Instagram Reel
Rhinos: A Rhino's Horn Is Made of the Same Stuff as Your Fingernails Instagram Reel · · 34.5s

The write-up

A rhino's horn is made of the same stuff as your fingernails. Two of the five species have just one horn.

  1. Exhibit A

    Five species

    There are five living rhino species.

  2. Exhibit B

    White rhino

    The white rhino has southern and northern subspecies.

  3. Exhibit C

    Northern white

    Only two northern white females are known to survive.

  4. Exhibit D

    Keratin horns

    Rhino horns are made of keratin.

  5. Exhibit E

    One or two horns

    Indian and Javan rhinos have one horn.

Questions people ask about Rhinos

How many living rhino species are there?

Two African, three Asian.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Five species) · Wikipedia: Rhinoceros

What are the white rhino's two subspecies?

The northern is nearly gone.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (White rhino) · Wikipedia: Rhinoceros; Wikipedia: Northern white rhinoceros

What are rhino horns made of?

Like hair and nails.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Northern white) · Wikipedia: Northern white rhinoceros

Which rhinos have one horn?

The others have two.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Keratin horns) · Wikipedia: Rhinoceros

How thick is rhino skin?

Thick but sensitive to sunburn.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (One or two horns) · Wikipedia: Rhinoceros

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. How many living rhino species are there?

    1. Five
    2. Two
    3. Nine
    4. One
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Five Two African, three Asian. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Five species) · Wikipedia: Rhinoceros

  2. What are the white rhino's two subspecies?

    1. Southern and northern
    2. Eastern and western
    3. Desert and forest
    4. Island and mainland
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Southern and northern The northern is nearly gone. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (White rhino) · Wikipedia: Rhinoceros; Wikipedia: Northern white rhinoceros

  3. What are rhino horns made of?

    1. Keratin
    2. Bone
    3. Ivory
    4. Antler
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Keratin Like hair and nails. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Northern white) · Wikipedia: Northern white rhinoceros

  4. Which rhinos have one horn?

    1. Indian and Javan
    2. White and black
    3. Sumatran only
    4. All of them
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Indian and Javan The others have two. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Keratin horns) · Wikipedia: Rhinoceros

  5. How thick is rhino skin?

    1. About 1.5 to 5 cm
    2. About 1 mm
    3. About 30 cm
    4. About 1 m
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. About 1.5 to 5 cm Thick but sensitive to sunburn. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (One or two horns) · Wikipedia: Rhinoceros

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Rhinos." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-142, last updated Dec 25, 2023. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/rhinos/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/rhinos/ · Last updated

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