What is a Sumatran rhinoceros?
The Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) is a species of rhinoceros that is native to the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. It is one of the two species of rhinoceros found in Indonesia, the other being the Javan rhinoceros. The Sumatran rhinoceros is a critically endangered species, with a population of only around 80 individuals remaining in the wild.
The Sumatran rhinoceros is a medium-sized rhinoceros, with adults reaching a shoulder height of about 1.2-1.5 meters (3.9-4.9 feet) and weighing between 600-800 kilograms (1,323-1,764 pounds). It has a distinctive appearance, with a reddish-brown coat, a long, pointed horn on the nose, and a prominent hump on the forehead. The horn is made of keratin, the same protein that makes up human hair and nails, and can grow up to 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) long.
The Sumatran rhinoceros is herbivorous, feeding on a variety of plants, including grasses, leaves, and fruits. It is a solitary animal, with individuals only coming together to mate. Female Sumatran rhinoceroses give birth to a single calf after a gestation period of about 15 months, and the calf will stay with its mother for several years before becoming independent.
The Sumatran rhinoceros is threatened by habitat loss and poaching, and its population has been declining rapidly over the past few decades. Efforts are being made to protect the species, including the establishment of protected areas and the reintroduction of captive-bred individuals into the wild.