Rhinoceros

While at the rhino exhibit make sure to share the following information with those that are with you. The student worksheets have blanks for them to fill in. The answers are the BOLD words in the following statements:

1. Rhinos are the SECOND most endangered species on the planet.

2. Rhinos are the SECOND largest land mammal on the planet.

3. The name Rhinoceros comes from two Greek words, "rhino" - meaning NOSE and "oceros" - meaning HORN.

4. There are 5 DIFFERENT species and 11 DIFFERENT sub-species of rhinoceros.

5. How many horns do White, Black and Sumatran rhinos have? 2

6. How many horns do Javan and Indian rhinos have? 1

7. Today there are less than 25,000 rhinos left in the wild.

BONUS:

Here's some additional information for you to share with those that are with you:

A. Rhinos are often seen with Oxpeckers (or ‘tick birds’) perched on their backs. These birds eat the pesky parasitic insects living in the rhino’s thick skin and their loud cry also helps alert the rhino of potential danger!

B. Sadly, according to the World Wildlife Fund there are only two northern white rhinos left in the world, and both live in captivity. They’re both females and they live in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya.

C. A rhinos horn is made up of keratin, which is the same protein that forms the basis of our hair and nails.