Quick answer
The rhinoceros is a massive, thick-skinned herbivore famous for the horn (or horns) on its snout, which is made of keratin, the same material as hair and nails. The white rhino is the largest of the five species and can weigh over 2,300 kg (5,000 lb). Rhinos have poor eyesight but an excellent sense of smell and hearing, and they typically live 40 to 45 years.
Key takeaway
The rhinoceros is a massive, thick-skinned herbivore famous for the horn (or horns) on its snout, which is made of keratin, the same material as hair and nails. The white rhino is the largest of the five species and can weigh over 2,300 kg (5,000 lb). Rhinos have poor eyesight but an excellent sense of smell and hearing, and they typically live 40 to 45 years.
Overview
The rhinoceros is a massive, thick-skinned herbivore famous for the horn (or horns) on its snout, which is made of keratin, the same material as hair and nails. The white rhino is the largest of the five species and can weigh over 2,300 kg (5,000 lb). Rhinos have poor eyesight but an excellent sense of smell and hearing, and they typically live 40 to 45 years.
Biology
Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) is classified as Mammal with conservation status Near Threatened. Typical weight 1,800–2,500 kg (4,000–5,500 lb); lifespan around 40–45 years.
Ecology
Diet: Herbivore. Habitat: Savanna, grassland, and tropical forest. Movement and social systems reflect those pressures.
People and this species
Learn before you travel or keep related pets. Wild individuals are not toys; captive care needs species-specific husbandry.
Further reading
See the full Rhinoceros profile for FAQs, taxonomy, and related guides on this site.
Horns of keratin
A rhino's horn is not bone but compacted keratin, the same protein found in hair and fingernails, and it keeps growing through life. Tragically, demand for horn in illegal markets has made rhinos a prime target for poachers, even though the horn has no proven medicinal value.
Five species, two continents
There are five rhino species: the white and black rhinos of Africa, and the greater one-horned, Sumatran, and Javan rhinos of Asia. White rhinos are grazers with a wide, square lip for cropping grass, while black rhinos are browsers with a hooked lip for grabbing leaves and twigs.
Senses and behavior
Rhinos have notoriously poor eyesight but compensate with acute hearing and a superb sense of smell. Despite their bulk, they can charge at up to 50 km/h (31 mph). They often wallow in mud, which cools their skin and protects it from sun and biting insects.
Conservation
Rhinos are among the most threatened large mammals on Earth, hammered by poaching for their horns and by habitat loss. The northern white rhino is functionally extinct, with only two females left, while the Javan and Sumatran rhinos are Critically Endangered. Intensive protection has helped some populations recover.
Research notes
Figures for rhinoceross (Ceratotherium simum) come from field studies, museum records, and conservation assessments that do not always agree on exact averages. Prefer ranges over single-point claims, and check whether a source describes wild, captive, or mixed populations.
Practical takeaways
If you encounter rhinoceross in the wild, prioritise distance and local guidance. If you care for related domestic or captive animals, match diet and housing to species needs rather than generic pet advice. Share accurate status information (Near Threatened) when discussing conservation.
Sources
FAQs
Rhinoceros: Key Facts & Natural History?
The rhinoceros is a massive, thick-skinned herbivore famous for the horn (or horns) on its snout, which is made of keratin, the same material as hair and nails. The white rhino is the largest of the five species and can weigh over 2,300 kg (5,000 lb). Rhinos have poor eyesight but an excellent sense of smell and hearing, and they typically live 40 to 45 years.
What is the scientific name of the rhinoceros?
Ceratotherium simum
What do rhinoceross eat?
Herbivore
Where do rhinoceross live?
Savanna, grassland, and tropical forest
Are rhinoceross endangered?
Listed here as Near Threatened. Check IUCN and national lists for the latest assessment.