Scientific Name and Origin

Dicerorhinus sumatrensis

Dicerorhinus: Greek di, meaning “two”; cero, meaning “horn”; and rhinus, meaning “nose”

sumatrensis: referring to Sumatra (with the Latin –ensis, meaning a locality)

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Common Names

Sumatran rhinoceros

Asian two-horned rhinoceros: the only two-horned rhino in the Asian region

Hairy rhinoceros: refers to the long, shaggy hair found on the species in contrast to the other nearly hairless species

 

Distribution and Habitat

Southeast Asia (primarily Indonesia and Malaysia)

Montagne rain forests

 

Size

600 to 800 kg (1,300 to 1,700 lb)

0.09 to 1.5 m (3 to 5 ft) tall at shoulder

Primary horn 25 to 79 cm (10 to 31 in)

 

Physical Description

Reddish-brown coat sparsely covered with long hair, pronounced in younger animals

Fringed ears

Two horns

 

Life History Characteristics

Browser

Solitary with the exception of females with calves; males solitary but visit female territories to mate

Sexually mature at 5.5 and 6.5 years of age (females and males, respectively)

Gestation period 473 to 480 days; interbirth interval of three years