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Line 39: − + − Rhinoceros have poor vision but a good sense of smell.+ − Five sorts are in existence today, but all with greatly diminished ranges; all are threatened with [[extinction]] due to [[poaching]], as their horns command enormous prices, being believed to have [[aphrodisiac]] properties. The legend of the [[unicorn]] is believed by some to have been based on seeing some sort of rhinoceros.+ + + + + − *White or square-lipped rhinoceros (2-horned, Africa) is the largest variety.+ − *Black rhinoceros (2-horned, Africa), renowned for its pugnacity. − *Indian rhinoceros (1-horned, India and Nepal). − *Sumatran rhinoceros (2-horned, Sumatra, Indo-China and Indonesia) is the smallest variety, and unlike the others has a hairy pelt. − *Javan rhinoceros (1-horned, Java and Vietnam) is the rarest large land mammal in the world; less than sixty survive. − −
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[[Rhinoceros]] (Greek: ῥῑνόκερως; ''rhinos'' and κέρας ''keras''; "nose-horn") refers to several large [[pachyderm]]atous [[herbivore|herbivorous]] land mammals of Africa and Asia, which bear one or two nasal horns.
[[Rhinoceros]] (Greek: ῥῑνόκερως; ''rhinos'' and κέρας ''keras''; "nose-horn") refers to several large [[pachyderm]]atous [[herbivore|herbivorous]] land mammals of Africa and Asia, which bear one or two nasal horns. Rhinoceros have poor vision but a good sense of smell, and despite their size - which is exceeded only by [[elephant]]s - they can quickly face danger and charge at speeds up to 35 mph.
Five species are in existence today, but severely-reduced in numbers; four species currently are near the brink of extinction as a result of the illegal trade in rhino horns:
*White or square-lipped rhinoceros ''Ceratotherium simum''
*Black rhinoceros ''Diceros bicornis''
*Indian rhinoceros ''Rhinoceros unicornis''
*Javan rhinoceros ''Rhinoceros sondaicus''
*Sumatran rhinoceros ''Dicerorhinus sumatrensis''
A number of extinct varieties are also known, notably the woolly rhinoceros of the [[Ice Age]], a contemporary of the Woolly [[Mammoth]]. Several frozen corpses of this animal have been discovered in the [[Siberia]]n [[permafrost]].
A number of extinct varieties are also known, notably the woolly rhinoceros of the [[Ice Age]], which cohabited with the Woolly [[Mammoth]]. Several frozen corpses of this animal have been discovered in the [[Siberia]]n [[permafrost]].
[[Category:Odd-toed ungulates]]
[[Category:Odd-toed ungulates]]