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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

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Danger Watch

A species relative risk of extinction, as determined by the IUCN - The World Conservation Union. More

  1. Link Title

    Extinct

    No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died.

  2. Link Title

    Extinct in the Wild

    Known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalized population.

  3. Link Title

    Critically Endangered

    Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

  4. Link Title

    Endangered

    Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

  5. Link Title

    Vulnerable

    Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

  6. Link Title

    Near Threatened

    Likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future.

  7. Link Title

    Least Concern

    Does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endagnered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened

Related Information

Related Places

Borneo and Sumatra

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