Indian Rhinoceros: Armour-Like Skin, Grasslands & Wetlands

Rhinoceros unicornis, the Indian Rhinoceros—also called the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros—is native to the northern Indian subcontinent. Today it is most closely associated with riverine grasslands, wetlands and nearby forest edges in India and Nepal.

One horn and deeply folded skin

The species is immediately recognizable by its single horn and thick grey skin, which is divided by deep folds around the shoulders, flanks and legs. Those folds create the armour-like appearance that makes the Indian Rhinoceros so distinctive. Its flexible upper lip is useful for grasping vegetation while feeding.

A grazer with a varied diet

Grasses make up an important part of the diet, but Indian Rhinoceroses also feed on leaves, shoots, fruit and aquatic plants. What they eat shifts with season and habitat, allowing them to use both open grassland and wetter areas.

Water, mud and wallowing

Indian Rhinoceroses are comfortable in water and often use rivers, pools and muddy wallows. Wallowing helps them cool down in hot conditions and coats the skin in mud, while wetlands also provide access to aquatic vegetation.

Mostly solitary, sometimes tolerant

Adults are often seen alone, but they can tolerate other rhinoceroses at shared feeding areas, wallows and other concentrated resources. Mothers and calves form a close pair while the young animal develops.

From the field guide to Aves & Atlas

The single horn, broad body and plate-like folds of the Indian Rhinoceros translate especially well into detailed zoological linework. Explore the Indian Rhinoceros T-Shirt, or browse more species in the Mammals collection.