Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — There are five species of rhinos in the world: the African black and white rhinos, the Indian rhino, the Sumatran rhino, and the Javan rhino. Among them, there are some fact about Sumatran rhinos (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) that stand out and set it apart from other rhino species.
Here are some Fact About about Sumatran Rhinos
The Smallest Rhino Species
The Sumatran rhino is the smallest of all rhino species. Adult rhinos measure between 120 to 145 cm tall from foot to shoulder, with a body length ranging from 2.5 to 3 meters. Their weight typically falls between 500 to 1,000 kg, though the largest recorded Sumatran rhino weighed up to 2 tons. Unlike the single-horned Indian and Javan rhinos, the Sumatran rhino has two horns, making it more similar in appearance to its African relatives. The average horn length ranges from 15 to 25 cm.
The Only Hairy Rhino
What truly distinguishes the Sumatran rhino from its fellow species is the presence of thin, reddish-brown hair covering its body, making it the only living rhino with such a feature. This hair links the Sumatran rhino more closely to the extinct woolly rhino of the Ice Age than to any of the other four living species. The woolly rhino disappeared thousands of years ago, but the Sumatran rhino remains as its closest living relative.
A Foliage Feeder
The Sumatran rhino is a folivore, meaning its diet primarily consists of leaves. These rhinos feed on young shoots, mature leaves, and even twigs, extracting essential minerals from the plants they consume. Typically, they feed in the early morning and late afternoon. Researchers have identified over 100 plant species in the Sumatran rhino’s diet, with the most common being from the Eugenia genus. Adult Sumatran rhinos can consume up to 50 kilograms of foliage daily.
A Solitary and Territorial Animal
Sumatran rhinos are known for their solitary nature, often roaming alone through their forest habitats. Female Sumatran rhinos are territorial and avoid interaction with each other, except when raising young. Females with calves maintain smaller home ranges, while those without offspring cover larger, more exclusive territories. These rhinos inhabit a variety of environments, including tropical rainforests, mossy mountain forests, and secondary forests. They are typically found in hilly areas close to water, and can adapt to a wide range of habitats, from swampy lowlands to mountain forests.
Uncovering the Hidden Fact About Rhinos Amid Extinction Threats
The Most Critically Endangered Rhino Species
The Sumatran rhino holds the unfortunate title of being the most critically endangered of all rhino species. Current estimates suggest that only 30 to 50 Sumatran rhinos remain in the wild. In comparison, there are over 6,000 black rhinos and more than 17,000 white rhinos left. The Sumatran rhino population once spanned across Sumatra, Borneo, India’s Assam region, Myanmar, and the Malay Peninsula. They were also known to inhabit Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
Today, the last remaining Sumatran rhinos are found only in Indonesia, primarily within three national parks: Gunung Leuser, Way Kambas, and Bukit Barisan Selatan. There is also a small population surviving in the forests of Borneo.
Efforts are underway to conserve and protect the remaining Sumatran rhinos, but with such a small population, the survival of this unique species remains uncertain. Urgent action is needed to ensure that this smallest of rhinos does not disappear forever.
(Raidi/Agung)
