# Rhinos (DD-142)

> 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.

- Department: Nature
- First published: 2023-12-25
- Last updated: 2023-12-25
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/rhinos/
- Original Reel title: Rhinos 🦏
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-142-F01**: There are five living rhino species. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Five species))_
- **DD-142-F02**: The white rhino has southern and northern subspecies. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (White rhino))_

## 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. **Five species**: There are five living rhino species.
2. **White rhino**: The white rhino has southern and northern subspecies.
3. **Northern white**: Only two northern white females are known to survive.
4. **Keratin horns**: Rhino horns are made of keratin.
5. **One or two horns**: Indian and Javan rhinos have one horn.

## Related case files

- [Lucky Stripe (DD-101)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/lucky-stripe/): I paired it with more African wildlife
- [River Roamers (DD-137)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/river-roamers/): I paired it with another heavyweight of the African plains
- [Elephants (DD-140)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/elephants/): I linked another giant land mammal
- [Scaly Anteaters (DD-141)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/scaly-anteaters/): I paired it with another mammal poached for keratin

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: 'They have two large horns': Indian and Javan rhinos have one horn.

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

- Duration: 34.5 s · Published: 2023-12-25
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C1TM42TtyrK.mp4

### Transcript

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!

## Questions & answers

**Q: How many living rhino species are there?**  
A: Two African, three Asian. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Five species) · Wikipedia: Rhinoceros)_

**Q: What are the white rhino's two subspecies?**  
A: The northern is nearly gone. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (White rhino) · Wikipedia: Rhinoceros; Wikipedia: Northern white rhinoceros)_

**Q: What are rhino horns made of?**  
A: Like hair and nails. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Northern white) · Wikipedia: Northern white rhinoceros)_

**Q: Which rhinos have one horn?**  
A: The others have two. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Keratin horns) · Wikipedia: Rhinoceros)_

**Q: How thick is rhino skin?**  
A: Thick but sensitive to sunburn. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (One or two horns) · Wikipedia: Rhinoceros)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Rhinoceros](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhinoceros)
- [Wikipedia: Northern white rhinoceros](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_white_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/