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Javan rhinoceros Facts

Javan rhinoceros Facts
Javan rhinoceros, also known as lesser one-horned rhinoceros, is one of the rarest mammals on the planet. It was numerous and widespread in the Southeast Asia in the past, while today, entire population consists of around 60 animals that can be found only in the Ujung Kulon National Park in the West Java. Javan rhinoceros inhabits dense tropical rainforests, grasslands and large floodplains. Accelerated habitat loss as a result of agricultural development and poaching because of the horn (which is used in traditional Chinese medicine in treatment of pain and fever) are the greatest threats for the survival of Javan rhinoceros in the wild. Due to small population size, inbreeding (mating of close relatives) is very frequent, which additionally prevents increase in the number of this critically endangered rhino.
Interesting Javan rhinoceros Facts:
Javan rhinoceros can reach 10 to 10.5 feet in length and 2.000 to 5.100 pounds of weight.
Javan rhinoceros has grey or brown-grey hairless skin with pinkish skin on the folds, which are thick and create appearance of armored plates.
Javan rhinoceros has long, pointed upper lip, massive body and short tail. Males have dagger-like, sharp incisors that are used for fight with other males during the mating season. Javan rhinoceros also has 6 broad molars on the each side of the jaw.
Javan rhinoceros has one, grey or brown-colored horn that is usually less than 9.8 inches long. In the case of damage or loss, horn can be regenerated.
Javan rhinoceros uses its horn to facilitate movement through dense vegetation, for excavation of muddy holes and pulling down of plants that are used for food.
Javan rhinoceros has poor eyesight, but excellent sense of hearing and smell.
Javan rhinoceros is a herbivore. Its diet is based on the leaves, young shoots, twigs and fruit.
Javan rhinoceros wallows in the mud during the most part of a day to prevent overheating, eliminate parasites from the skin and avoid insect bites.
Javan rhinoceros is solitary and territorial animal. It uses urine, feces and secretion from the foot glands to mark its territory.
Javan rhinoceros can be occasionally seen with other rhinos in the areas rich in minerals (salt licks) and mud wallows.
Mating season of Javan rhinoceros takes place from July to November.
Pregnancy probably lasts 15 to 16 months (as in other rhinos) and ends with one baby. Young rhino stays with its mother until the age of 1 to 3 years.
Females reach sexual maturity at the age of 5 to 7 years, males at the age of 10 years.
Very few Javan rhinoceroses were ever kept in the zoos and they never managed to reproduce in the captivity.
Estimated lifespan of Javan rhinoceros is 35 to 40 years.


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