| With the exception of the white rhino, other rhino species today are critically endangered. These include the black rhino, great Indian rhino, Sumatran and Javan rhino. The white and black species are found in Africa and are not distinguishable by color, they are both in fact gray. The white species, a native of South Africa has a broader mouth and are slightly larger in size than their black counterparts, whose more pointed mouths make them suitable for feeding in arid and dry environments. They both have two horns as opposed to the great Indian rhino's single horn, made of Keratin (the same protein present in hair). The horns are extremely precious and as a result these animals have been relentlessly hunted by humans. Because the horns do not have a functional purpose, several conservation programs tranquilize these animals, remove their horns and set them free in the wild - without the horns the rhino is of no value to poachers. White rhinos weigh about 4000 to 6000 pounds on average and when not feeding on enormous quantities of grass and leaves, sit still and relax like this till their next feeding - very active animals as you can see :) [Photo Info - Nikon D70s, Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 AF ED @200mm, f/7.1, 1/1250 sec, ISO 400, EV +0.3, Spot Metering, Program Mode, Auto White Balance Warm -3] |
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