Dicerorhinus sumatrensis
Facts
- Height: 3.3-5 feet
- Length: 6.5-13 feet
- Weight: 1,300-2,000 pounds
- Number: 80 in the wild
- Herbivores
- Horns are made of keratin, calcium, and melanin (These things also make human nails and hair)
- Hang out with birds who eat parasites off their skin.
Threats
In the wild rhinos are hunting illegally for their horns. There are groups that think that the horns how medicinal properties. Another issue for Sumatran rhinos is their isolated populations and limited numbers in the wild. They also face the issue of habitat loss and have little protect from humans.
Other Rhinos
There are four other species of rhinos and all are at some risk due to human impact. White and black rhinos have two horns where as the Javan and greater rhino only have one, like the Sumatran rhino.
Why protect them?
Rhinos are an umbrella species, just like orangutans, pandas, and chimps. When we protect them and their habitats this means that we are protecting all of the other species living in that area.
Species Spotlights 