Indian One horned Rhinoceros - Central Zoo Authority

hino wallows in lakes, rivers and temporary pools. Heat regulation and escape from
flies is probably a major function of wallowing.
Behavior
The one horned rhinos have an activity peaks in the mornings and afternoons and
prefer to rest or wallow in pools during the hot noon. The preferred habitats are
grasslands riverine mixed forests and their ecotones. Foraging activity is carried out
mainly in the grasslands while the mixed forests are used for resting.
One-horned rhinos are usually solitary animals, except for females with calves. Males
defend loosely defined territories, which may overlap with territories of several other
males. These territories are used to protect resources and the stronger males have
territories which are resource rich, the lesser males occupy peripheral territories which
are relatively poorer in resources. The females keep moving in between these territories
and mate with the dominant males. The territories keep changing seasonally as
resource availability changes. Excellent habitat patches may support many animals
together without competition.
Mud pools (wallows) are places of socializing for rhinos. Various individuals congregate
during noon in the mud wallows. After wallowing they separate again. Wallowing assists
in thermo-regulation by cooling the animals. The mud layer formed on the skin serves to
keep ecto-parasites away.
12 different sounds are frequently used for communication. Besides this dung heaps
serves as communication points. One-horned rhinos prefer the use of same paths.
These are scent marked by the secretions from the pedal gland of their feet, urine and
dung. Several animals defecate at communal latrines. After defecating, greater onehorned
rhinos rub their hind feet in the dung and continue to walk. By doing this they
mark their own smell around the paths.
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