Sunday, June 9, 2013

Rhinoceroses

Rhinos are very interesting animals and would love to share some facts!  So sit back and relax!
Rhinos are herbivores, which means they don't eat meat they only eat plants. This includes in their diet, leaves, grasses, shrubs, shoots, buds, and fruit. They eat up to 50 kilograms a day! That's amazing! Humans eat only three meals a day,(with a few snacks in between) while they eat so much more!  Rhinos need to have salt in their diet and were once observed drinking saltwater! \
The White an Black rhinoceros lives in Africa. The White Rhino lives in Africa's savannas, woodlands, and grasslands. The Black Rhino lives in Africa's rain forests and scrublands. The Indian, Tavan, and Sumatran live in Asia.
Humans are rhinos biggest predators. They kill rhinos for their horns, and the horns are sold on the black market. The horns are used for traditional purposes and some people believe they can cure everything from fever to food poisoning. Some other predators are crocodiles, hyenas, and lions.
Rhinos have many ways to protect themselves from danger. They have very sharp horns that they can use to  scare off predators. These horns are made of keratin which is the same protein as hair and fingernails. They also have very thick skin. Unfortunately, their skin is not as thick as an armor plate because if they get scratched they could get scars.
Rhinos also have many adaptations that help them survive. They gallop like a horse which allows them to run up to 25 miles per hour, but for only a short period of time. This will help them get away from predators. They have big teeth that are meant for crushing up their food. Can you believe this? Rhinos have a great sense of smell and can smell a predator from more than eight football fields away! That's awesome! Another interesting fact: they have a great sense of hearing and can swivel their ears around to hear where a sound came from! They are also great swimmers!
Now you know that rhinos are more than just scary creatures, they are FASCINATING creatures! I hope you enjoyed the rhinos facts!

1 comment:

  1. awesome article!!!!! I LOVE THIS PAGE! what zoos do you like to visit? we could meet up someday!!!! your awesome

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