#Asian rhino skin#

There are three recognized subspecies of the Javan rhinoceros, though two are now extinct.

#Asian rhino skin#

The Javan rhinoceros is very similar in appearance to the closely related Indian rhinoceros ( Rhinoceros unicornis), but it is slightly smaller and has a much smaller head and looser, less apparent skin folds. The rhinos in Vietnam appeared to be significantly smaller than those in Java, based on studies of photographic evidence and measurements of their footprints. No substantial size difference is seen between genders, but females may be slightly bigger. A study to collect accurate measurements of the animals has never been conducted and is not a priority because of their extreme conservation status. It is about the same size as the black rhinoceros ( Diceros bicornis). An average adult Javan rhino is approximately 11-12 feet in length with a height of 5-6 feet at the top of its shoulders. It is the largest animal in Java and the second-largest animal in Indonesia after the Asian elephant ( Elephas maximus). The Javan rhino is smaller than most other rhinos and is only larger than the Sumatran rhinoceros ( Dicerorhinus sumatrensis). There is little sexual dimorphism in the Javan rhinoceros aside from horn size. The horns of male Javan rhinos can grow to a length of 25 centimeters (10 inches), but females have shorter, less prominent horns or may lack a horn entirely. Like human fingernails, the horn is made up of keratin. The Javan rhino possesses a single horn on the top of its nose, the smallest horn of all rhinos. Despite having smaller ears than other rhinoceroses, the Javan rhino has keen senses of smell and hearing, but is known for having poor eyesight. The rhino’s hairless skin is a dusky, hazy grey and contains tough folds that create an armor-like plating.

The lip is pointed to allow for food to be grasped and brought to the mouth. The rhino also has a unique, prehensile, upper lip that functions as an aid for feasting on leaves. As in other ungulates, the rhino’s teeth are lophodont, having transverse ridges on the grinding surfaces.

The Javan rhinoceros is an odd-toed terrestrial ungulate, and each of its feet ends in three hooved toes.