Sumatran Rhinoceros

Dicerorhinus sumatrensis

The Sumatran rhinoceros is not your ordinary rhino. Forest-dwelling with woolly red hair and quite petite (for a rhino), the Sumatran rhino uses its prehensile upper lip to browse on vegetation. It is also the world’s most endangered rhino, suffering from deforestation and poaching for its horn, which some Asian cultures believe has medicinal properties. Conservation efforts are critical to the survival of the species.

The Sumatran rhino has two horns, which are made of tightly packed hair-like fibers.
Rhino ears are large and cup-shaped to funnel sound, and rotate in different directions to help pinpoint the source.
The rhino’s sense of smell is so important that its nose takes up more space than its brain.
Since rhinos can’t sweat, they wallow in mud to cool down. Mud also protects the rhino from biting insects and keeps the skin healthy and smooth (well, smooth for a rhino anyway).

Fact File

Height: Up to 10 ft
Weight: 1,300 to 1,800 lbs
Lifespan: Up to 35 yrs in wild
Habitat: Tropical rainforest and mountain moss forest
Diet: Fruit, leaves, twigs, branches and bark
Status: Species at Risk (IUCN—Critically endangered )

Sumatran Rhinos In Action

Videos

A Spark of Hope:

Andalas was the first Sumatran rhino bred and born in captivity in over a century.

Range:

Sumatra (Indonesia), Borneo and the Malay Peninsula

Saving Sumatran Rhinos

In 2001, years of breakthrough research by scientists at the Zoo’s Lindner Center for Conservation and Research (CREW) resulted in the first Sumatran rhino calf, Andalas, bred and born in captivity in over a century. Since then, two more calves have been born, Suci and Harapan.

Rhino Protection Units

The Zoo supports Rhino Protection Units through the International Rhino Foundation, which patrol the forests to deter poachers from hunting rhinos for their horns.

Rhino Rembrandts

Using their semi-prehensile lips, the Zoo’s rhinos, our very own Rhino Rembrandts, create one-of-a-kind original paintings. By purchasing a painting, you will be supporting rhino conservation worldwide. Order form