rhino

Short for rhinoceros, this is a very large plant-eating mammal known for the horn, or sometimes two horns, on its nose. It lives in parts of Africa and Asia, usually in grasslands, forests, or open plains. Many people think of it as fierce, but it is often calm unless it feels threatened. It uses its strong body and horn to protect itself and to deal with other animals.

You might see one in a zoo or wildlife documentary, but in the wild many have been killed for their horns. This hunting, along with habitat loss, has made several species endangered. The word itself comes from Greek roots meaning "nose horn."

The rhinoceros, commonly called a rhino, is one of the largest land mammals on Earth. It has thick, protective skin and one or two horns made of keratin, the same material as your fingernails. Rhinos live in Africa and Asia. There are five species: White Rhinoceros, Black Rhinoceros, Indian Rhinoceros, Javan Rhinoceros, and Sumatran Rhinoceros, and each one has its own features and conservation status.

Rhinos are herbivores, which means they eat plants. They spend much of the day feeding on grasses, leaves, shoots, and fruit, using their strong jaws and, in some species, specially shaped lips. Even though they are huge, they can run surprisingly fast when they need to.

Sadly, rhinos face serious danger from poaching because some people want their horns for traditional medicine, even though the horns have no proven medical value, or as status symbols. Habitat loss caused by farming and human development also adds to the problem. Conservation work is important to protect these animals, including anti-poaching patrols, habitat protection, and breeding programs.

The word "rhinoceros" comes from the Greek words rhinos (nose) and keras (horn). So the name literally means "nose horn," which fits this powerful but vulnerable animal of the wild.