Indian Rhinoceros

As their scientific name Rhinoceros unicornis suggests, Indian rhinos possess a single horn. Tragically, this remarkable feature has also placed them under immense threat.

Made of keratin — the same material found in human hair and nails —the horn has long been sought after for traditional medicine and ornamental use, driving decades of illegal hunting across the species’ range.

Indian rhinos are unmistakable in appearance. Their thick, folded skin resembles plates of ancient armour draped across the body, giving them a formidable presence unlike that of their African relatives.

Yet beneath this heavy hide lies remarkable flexibility, with softer skin between the folds allowing the animal to move with surprising ease through forests, grasslands and riverbanks.

Despite their immense size, Indian rhinos are highly alert and surprisingly agile animals. They rely on excellent hearing and a keen sense of smell to detect one another, often following scent trails across the landscape.

When threatened, they are capable of charging at speeds of up to almost 50km per hour, changing direction quickly despite weighing well over two tonnes.