Rhinoceroses (Rhinos)

There are currently five remaining different species of rhinoceroses or rhinos from the 100+ species of rhino we can trace through history. These species spread from most of Africa to India and Indonesia. Rhinos once numbered in the 100,000s in the early 20th century, between poaching and losing their habitat rhino numbers have diminished significantly. The largest population of rhinos is the white rhino, they live in Africa and currently have a population of around 16000, that is less than half the population of Euclid, Ohio. The Sumatran Rhino, the closest living relative to the prehistory woolly rhinos of the last ice age number in the 40s.

One reason rhinos were hunted are their horns. Traditional Chinese medicine uses rhino horns to treat fevers, pains in joints and bones, as well as gout. Rhino horns are made up of keratin, the same protein that makes up our hair and nails. Current medical studies have shown the consumption of rhino horns does not provide a cure for any ailment.

Currently many people are working to conserve our current rhino populations in hopes to bring them back from the brink of extinction. Local governments, non-profits, and concerned individuals are helping achieve this goal by protecting the rhino themselves from poachers, as well as protecting the habitat that belongs to the rhinos. The trade of their horns had been outlawed, however poaching is a constant concern.

_{These articles are written by library staff using library resources such as books, eBooks, and databases. Information can vary from book to book and database to database. Tickle Your Brain is meant to be a jumping off point for starting conversations about new topics of learning. It is not to be used as an authoritative resource.}