Frances Simmons, age 8, of Albuquerque, N.M., for her question:
WHERE DOES THE RHINOCEROS LIVE WILD?
One of the world's largest land creatures is the rhinoceros. Wild rhinoceroses live in Africa, in southeastern Asia and on a few large islands near the Asiatic coast. In prehistoric times they could also be found roaming over much of Europe, North America and in northern Asia.
The name rhinoceros comes from two Greek words and means nose horned. Depending on the kind, the rhinoceros has one or two slightly curving horns that project from its long nose.
There are actually five distinct kinds of rhinoceroses: three Asian species and two from Africa.
Largest of the three kinds you'll find living in Asia is the Indian rhinoceros. It stands about five feet eight inches tall at the shoulders and weighs about two tons. It has one great blue black horn, very thick at the base and about one foot long.
The Indian rhinoceros sometimes grows to be almost seven feet tall with a horn two feet long.
The skin of a rhinoceros hangs in such definite folds that it looks as if the animal were wearing armor plate. But the hide can be pierced by a knife or bullet easily.
The large animals live in marshy jungles among reeds and tall grass, on which they feed every morning and evening.
Both types of African rhinoceroses are two horned animals. They are known as the black rhinoceros and the white rhinoceros, although they are almost the same bluish gray color. Long lipped, for the black, and square mouthed, for the white, are actually better names for them.
The white rhinoceros is the largest of all rhinoceroses. It is about six feet tall and about 15 feet long. It weighs about three and a half tons. The horns of the female are longer but more slender than those of the male. This is also true for the black rhinoceros.
A record white rhinoceros horn measured 62 inches long.
The white rhinoceros was once almost extinct. But it is now increasing in numbers in Uganda. Both the white and the black rhinoceros are protected by law.
The black rhinoceros uses its longer front horn to defend itself and a shorter rear horn for digging roots and overturning bushes and small trees. It lives on dry plains covered with tall brush and lives on leaves.
Although both the black and white rhinoceros appear to be clumsy, they can move swiftly.
In captivity, the big animals feed on hay and diets supplemented with proteins, vitamins and minerals. They are favorite zoo animals.
Rhinoceroses have three toes on each foot. Each toe ends in a separate hoof. On each front foot is a fourth toe that is rudimentary, no longer used.
The rhinoceros differs from the hippopotamus, which has four developed toes. The hippopotamus is a relative of the hog while the rhinoceros is more nearly related to the horse.