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Sumatran Rhinoceros
A small pocket of rhinos on a very big island
Common Name: Sumatran rhinoceros; Rhinocéros de Sumatra(Fr); Rinoceronte de Sumatra(Sp)
Scientific Name: Dicerorhinus sumatrensis harrissoni
Habitat: Dense highland and lowland tropical and sub-tropical forests
Location: Northern Borneo
Population: Perhaps fewer than 25
Background
© WWF-Canon / Alain COMPOST
The Sumatran rhinoceros subspecies, D.s. harrissoni, once widespread on Borneo, is now confirmed to exist only in the northeast state of Sabah (Malaysia) and is possibly extinct from former habitat in the Bornean states of Sarawak (Malaysia) and in Kalimantan (Indonesia).
A 2005 survey in the interior of Sabah found evidence of at least 13 rhinos, and scattered individuals are found in other parts of the state.
Physical Description
The Sumatran, or hairy, rhino is the smallest of the living rhinoceroses and the only Asian rhino species with two horns. Another characteristic are the wrinkles around its eyes. The front horn is generally under 10 inches long, while the posterior horn is usually quite small and often no more than a hump. Calves are born with a dense covering of hair which turns reddish brown in young adults and becomes sparse, bristly and almost black in older animals.
Size
The body length ranges from 6 - 9 feet and usually about 3 feet in height. Body weight has been estimated at 0.5 - 1 ton.
Color
The skin of adults is reddish-brown.
Habitat
Major habitat type
Dense highland and lowland tropical and sub-tropical forests
Biogeographic realm
Indo-Malayan
Range States
Malaysia (Sabah)
Geographical Location
Northern Borneo
Ecological Region
Borneo Lowland and Montane Forests
