Range

Asia is the native home of the Sumatran rhinoceros. Here the only remaining population is found in Indonesia though a small population may occur in Myanmar.

The species was formerly widespread across Asia but is now extinct in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, India, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Thailand and Viet Nam.

Habitat

They make their home in tropical rainforest and montane moss forests. Isolated reports exist of them from coastal swamps and even in the ocean. Most of their range is across mountain slopes near a source of water.

Sumatran rhinos show a preference for secondary forests as the young shoots they prefer are most abundant in this area.

Reproduction

Sumatran rhinoceros calves are born from October to May during the periods of heaviest rainfall. Pairs will only come together for mating.

Following a successful mating it will be 12-16 months before the mother gives birth to a single calf. This calf is initially hidden in dense vegetation while the mother feeds. Calves have short, black fur at birth.

After two months it will begin to join its mother while moving through the forest.

They will suckle for up to 15 months.

Mothers are protective of their young. If they detect a threat they will spray it with feces and urine to distract the threat while the calf escapes.

Sexual maturity is reached between 7 and 8 years old.

Behavior

Sumatran rhinoceros exhibit some seasonal movements through their territory depending on environmental conditions. When the lowlands flood they move up the hillside before descending for the dry season. They will move back up the hill during summer to escape houseflies.

They make trails through the forest which are marked out using feces, urine and scrapes of soil.

These animals are solitary and they create a home territory which is defended against intruders. Individuals only come together to mate. The males territory is larger than that of a female.

Sumatran rhinoceros are considered to be the most vocal rhino species. Their vocalizations include whistling and whining noises.

To protect their skin the Sumatran rhinoceros will roll in mud which sticks to the skin. This helps cool them and protects against insects.

Most of their travel takes place at night.

Predators and Threats

Adults have few predators though young can be taken by tigers and wild dogs.

Less than 100 Sumatran rhinoceros remain in the wild. Their low population is threatening their population due to limited genetic diversity. Habitat disturbance also threatens them.

Humans have reduced their population due to hunting for their horn. While they have one of the smallest horns of any rhino it is believed that this makes them more potent and thus more desirable.

The remaining populations of the Sumatran rhinoceros exist in protected reserves where anti-poaching patrols protect them.

Quick facts

They are the world’s most endangered rhino.

Sumatran rhinoceros are sometimes called the hairy rhino and are the closest living relative of the extinct wooly rhino.

They are also called the Asian two-horned rhinoceros as they are the only rhinoceros with two horns in Asia.