a Sumatran rhinoceros

Sumatran rhinoceros

A Sumatran rhinoceros photographed at Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio.

Photograph by Joel Sartore, National Geographic Photo Ark

The two-horned Sumatran rhinoceros shares the bleak distinction of world’s most endangered rhino with its regional cousin, the Javan rhino, both species of which are listed as critically endangered.

The smallest of the five living rhino species, the Sumatran rhino’s hide is dark red-brown in color and covered with patches of short, dark, stiff hair. The hair helps keep mud caked to the body, which cools its skin and protects it from insects.

The Sumatran rhino’s two horns are considerably smaller than those of their African relatives, the black rhinos and white rhinos. The front horn may grow up to 31 inches but is normally much smaller, while the posterior horn may grow up to three inches

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