Javan Rhino

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Javan Rhinoceros

Javan Rhinoceros
Rhinoceros sondaicu

What Are They Like?

Millions of years ago, rhinos coexisted along dinosaurs and other large land mammals. Today, only five species of rhinos remain. Modern day Javan rhinos are known for their hairless skin and the deep skin folds that create the appearance of armor on their necks and backs. They have one horn made out of keratin that can be up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) long. These enormous animals can weigh up to 3,000 pounds (1,300 kilograms) and be 11 feet (3.5 meters) long. Despite this bulkiness, they are able to charge at speeds of 28 miles per hour (45 kilometers per hour).

Where Do They Live?

Javan rhinos are known to exist in two protected areas in Southeastern Asia. Ujung Kulon National Park in Java, and the Cat Tien National Park in the Dong Nai region of Vietnam.

Did You Know?

Female Javan rhinos have a smaller, less developed horn.

How Are Babies Made?

Female Javan rhinos reach sexual maturity at around five years of age, while males do not begin to breed until they claim their first territory or become dominant at about ten years of age. Rhino calves are born after 16-month gestation periods and remain nursing beyond their first year. Females bear one calf at a time, at intervals ranging from 22 months to four years.

What Do They Eat?

All rhinos are herbivores and eat a wide range of plants; Javan rhinos also eat fruit. Due to their size, rhinos consume approximately 160 pounds (73 kilograms) of plants and up to 20 galons (80 liters) of water per day to survive.

What Do They Do?

Rhinos are mostly solitary animals. They make many vocalizations when undisturbed and are generally timid, contrary to popular perception. They will charge if they perceive a threat. Rhinos have poor vision due to the placement of their eyes on either side of their heads, and so rely heavily on their sense of smell.

How Concerned Should We Be?

All rhino species are endangered; there are probably about 12,000 worldwide, but only about 250 are Javan. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which keeps a "Red List" of species in danger worldwide, lists the Javan rhino as "critically endangered." The population has declined more than 80% over the last three generations. The greatest threats to this population are habitat loss and poaching. Rhino horns are used for everything from medicines to tools, and all rhino species have been heavily poached for many years. While habitat loss threatens all rhino species, the Javan rhino population in particular has been devastated by lowland forest removal.

What's Being Done?

Anti-poaching measures are a top priority, and in Malaysia and Indonesia efforts continue to develop managed breeding centers.

References:

Burnie, David & Don E. Wilson. (2001) Animal: The Definitive Visual Guide to the World’s Wildlife, pp. 228-229. New York: DK Publishing.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. (6 October 2010) Dicerorhinus sumatrensis. [online] Available from: http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/6553/0

World Wildlife Fund (6 October 2010) Javan Rhino. [online] Available from: http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/rhinoceros/asian_rhinos/javan_rhinoceros/

Javan Rhino

Javan Rhinoceros Rhinoceros sondaicu

Javan Rhinoceros
Rhinoceros sondaicu