The javan rhino is an endangered species. There are approximately 60 Javan Rhinos surviving in two widely separate places, one in Java, Indonesia; the other in Vietnam. The endangered javan rhino is one of the rarest large mammals. Rhinoceros derives from the Greek word for ‘nose horn.’ The javan rhino has one horn on the snout. Adults are grey in color. They also have armor-plated appearance caused by the deep folds of hairless skin. Their habitat is dense rainforest with mud wallows and plenty of water.

 

Very little is known of the javan rhino. It is mainly a browser of leaves, twigs and shoots. Females reach sexual maturity at about three to four years of age. Males become mature later around the age of six years. Females give birth to a single young every four to five years, and the offspring is suckled for up to two years. The causes of the decline of this species is because of habitat loss and hunting. The two small populations are vulnerable to disease, natural disaster, poaching and genetic problems by inbreeding.

 

Author: Daniel W

Published: 02/2007

 

Sources: http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/mammals/Rhinoceros_sondaicus/ http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/species/our_solutions/endangered_species/ rhinoceros/ javan_rhinoceros/index.cfm

 

Photo Credit: 17:01 10 October 2001 From New Scientist Print Edition.