The enormous size, unique horn and prehistoric appearance of the Greater One-horned Rhinoceros [Rhinoceros unicornis] sets it apart as one of the most conspicuous mammals of South Asia, because of its highly valued horn, it is also one of the most endangered. It is the largest of the three extant species of rhinoceroses found in Asia, the other two being the Javan Rhinoceros [Rhinoceros sondaicus] and the Sumatran Rhinoceros [Dicerorhinus sumatrensis], both of which have been extripated from Northeast India.
The Indian Rhinoceros is not only seen in grasslands, they can be seen within the forest as well, on safari.
About the Greater One-horned Rhinoceros :
The Greater One-horned Rhinoceros was historically limited to the flood plains and forest tracts of the Brahmaputra, Gangetic and Indus river valleys.
They flourish in what arguably are the world’s tallest grasslands. The flood plains of Chitwan and Kaziranga support terraces of ‘elephant grasses’ that reach 6-8m by the end of monsoon. These alluvial grasslands are as threatened as the populations of the Rhino.
A global analysis of biodiversity identifies the ‘Terai-Duar Savannas and Grasslands’ as part as part of the Global 200, a representative example of one of the most biologically outstanding grassland ecoregions on earth. This ecoregion, which lies along the base of the outermost foothills of the Himalaya, ranges from Dehradun in Uttrakhand [India], across the Nepalese Terai Zone to the Duar Grasslands of Bhutan.
The Greater One-horned Rhinoceros is the second largest among the living Rhinoceroses and the fourth terrestrial mammal.
The Greater One horned Rhinoceroses are solitary in nature usually, though one can sometimes see groups of females and their respective young ones wallowing in the same pools of water. Wallowing in water remains a large part of their schedule : feeding on plants in the water, warming up in winter, cooling down in summer, and getting rid of the parasites on their hides.
One can usually observe mother with their solitary calf, or even mothers with 2 calves of different generations. Males are by themselves.
Greater One Horned Rhinos mark their home range and compete with other adult rhinos through communal defecation sites known as middens. They are highly territorial and vicious fights can break out between rhinos as they come at each other using their sharp incisors to attack their enemy. Scars can often be observed on the rear end of the rhino’s armour.
Adaptations of the Greater One Horned Rhino :
Rhinos are the only animal with a horn on the nose, and not the top of the head. Sadly poached for this very horn that is made from compacted hair or keratin, the rhinoceros uses its horn to plow the ground looking for food, and to defend itself. Baby rhinos are born without horns, but the horn quickly begins developing and grows throughout the animals' lives. They have short stout limbs that help support their weight. They walk on their toes and have a soft pad under their toes that helps cushion their steps. Despite their bulk they can run up to 35 miles per hour over short distances.
They have developed a prehensile lip that curls around the stems of the tall grasses, leaves and shrubs they eat. Their small eyes are positioned on the sides of their head so to look at an object in front of them they have to look with one eye then turn their head and look with the other eye. Resulting vision is very poor.
They have excellent hearing but rely most on their sense of smell for knowledge of their surroundings. They have two tusk-like incisors in their lower jaw used when fighting for territory or females. These rhinos are very aquatic and good swimmers. They spend time in pools or mud wallows to combat the heat and protect themselves from bugs.
The habitats that the Greater One Horned Rhino occurs in, are simply beautiful and mystifying. Wildlife photography is a treat here at Chitwan National Park.
The Best Places to see the Indian One-horned Rhino :
Located in Assam, in North East India, Kaziranga is an ocean of wildlife and India’s Big 5 can be seen here. Indian Rhinoceros, Indian Elephant, Swamp Deer, Asiatic Wild Buffalo, and the Tiger roam these fertile terai forests near the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River. Safaris at Kaziranga are a dream experience, with rare species Smooth Coated Otters, Tokay Gecko, Great Hornbill, Black- necked Stork, Slender billed Vultures, and Western Hoolock Gibbon to be found here. Kaziranga is undoubtedly the best place to see the Greater One Rhinoceros in India.
Click here to visit our Kaziranga National Park Travel Guide.
The inner terai region of Chitwan in Nepal, is a landscape that is life changing. Mostly virgin forests, this evergreen landscape can be experienced in a Jeep, on foot, or on a canoe ride down the Rapti river. The Riverine and Sal forests, as well as the grasslands, are teeming with Rhino’s. Watching rhinos within tall elephant grass and in the riverine forests make these beasts seem even larger and more prehistoric than we imagined. Chitwan is also home to the Gharial, Sloth Bear, Tiger, and is home to magnificent birds such as the Red-headed Trogon, Long-tailed Broadbill, Great Hornbill, and Bengal Florican. A two hour excursion to the foothills of the Mahabharata Range offers good sights of Nepal’s only endemic bird : The Spiny Babbler.
Chitwan is a must visit destination for wildlife and nature lovers. The beauty of this landscape and the stories of its rugged yet friendly people will take you in. Chitwan is the best place to see the Greater One Horned Rhino in the wild and is one of the best place to see a wild rhino in the wild anywhere in the world.
Click here to visit our Chitwan National Park Travel Guide.
The armoured body of the Indian One Horned Rhino is truly a spectacular sight to see. Definitely an item on the travel bucket list.