The Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) is a small, solitary and shy creature that inhabits the tropical forests of Indonesia. It is the only living species of rhinoceros in the world that has two horns. The Sumatran rhino is an endangered species; its population has decreased by about 80% since 1985 due to habitat loss and poaching.
Taxonomy and etymology
The scientific name of the Sumatran rhinoceros is Dicerorhinus sumatrensis. It was first described by Dutch zoologist Coenraad Temminck in 1847. The word “rhinoceros” comes from the Greek words ῥῑνο- (rhin-, meaning “nose”) and -κέρως (-keros, meaning “horn”), while “Sumatran” refers to its geographic location, the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. There are three subspecies of Sumatran rhino: Dicerorhinus sumatrensis lasiotis (the Bornean rhinoceros), Dicerorhinus sumatrensis harrissoni (the northern Sumatran rhino), and Dicerorhinus sumatrensis sumatrae (the southern Sumatran rhino).
Physical characteristics
A female southern subspecies pictured with her calf at Cincinnati Zoo The body size of a mature Sumatran rhino varies depending on sex and subspecies, but males typically weigh between 1,400–2,000 kg (3,100–4,400 lb) while females weigh between 700–1,300 kg (1,500–2,900 lb). Mature individuals stand approximately 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) tall at the shoulder and 2–3 m (6 ft 7 in – 9 ft 10 in) long from head to tail. They have short legs with three toes on each foot; adults have no front teeth but six incisors at the back of their mouths which they use for grazing. Their skin is generally grey or dark brown in coloration except for around their eyes where it is wrinkled and blackish-purple; this area also lacks hair. Hairless patches can be found on their lower lip as well as scattered tufts elsewhere on their bodies; these serve as tactile sensors which help them detect objects around them without seeing them. Both sexes possess rudimentary horns made from keratin that grow to about 10 cm (4 inches) long; however those belonging to males tend to be thicker than those of females with more prominent ridges running along their length. Males also possess large canine teeth measuring up to 7 cm (2 3⁄4 inches) long which protrude from their mouths even when their lips are closed; these are used during fights over territory or mates although they do not use them for feeding purposes.. Females lack these canine teeth entirely but both sexes have premolars and molars used for chewing vegetation