Moreover, rhino horns grow back in time, similar to a human’s nails. Because the horns are made exclusively of keratin, cutting them off doesn’t hurt the animals. Although it seems extreme, the measure is in no way harmful for the mammal. To help protect the species, vets and conservationists have taken drastic measures and proceeded to cut off rhinos’ horns. Indian rhinos are a vulnerable species, while white rhinos are near threatened. Sumatran, Javan, and black rhinos are considered critically endangered. Rhinos use their horns to dig for water, excavate roots, and break branches.īecause of the alleged therapeutic properties and beauty of the horns, rhinos have been hunted for centuries and brought to the edge of extinction. If rhino horns are so soft, why do they have horns at all? While it was long believed that rhinos use their horns to defend their territory and fight off other rhinos or predators, their main function is foraging. In fact, rhino horns have a work of fracture (a measure of toughness) of only ten kJ/m², which is the equivalent of 4.76 pounds of force per square inch. The hardness of the horn is similar to that of a high-performance composite, but it still breaks easily compared to the horns or tusks of other animals. The composition is rather soft, enabling rhinos to hone their horns by rubbing them on the ground or against the bark of trees. So, what are they made of? Rhino horns are made exclusively of keratin mixed with minerals and melanin. While most horned animals have horns made of a bone core encased in keratin, rhinos do not. However, the horns are much weaker than you think. How Strong Are Rhinos Horns?Ī rhino’s horn makes the animal look intimidating. There are no specific studies regarding the bite force of Indian and Javan rhinos, but we can assume it’s within the 440 to 727 PSI range. Black rhinos have a bite force of about 727 PSI, while Sumatran rhinos have a much weaker bite of about 440 PSI. White rhinos have the strongest bite force, which is about 1,000 PSI. Just like not all rhinos have the same strike force, not all rhinos have such a strong bite. They use their bite to inflict lethal wounds on other male rhinos competing for the females but also to defend themselves from predators such as lions. Rhinos have razor-sharp incisor teeth that can reach five inches in length. While many people believe that rhinos use their horns to fight off opponents, they actually use their teeth. However, that’s not the only reason they have strong jaws. Like elephants, rhinos need strong jaws to chew on roots, twigs, and shrubs. Yet, their bite force is about 1,000 PSI – almost as strong as that of a tiger and over one and a half times the bite force of a lion. Rhino Bite Force (PSI)Īs herbivores, rhinos don’t need strong jaws. Male rhinos are generally larger and more powerful than female rhinos. Note : The average strike force above is calculated considering the average weight for each rhino species and the top speed of 35 miles per hour. In fact, despite weighing over 40 times more than the average human, rhinos feel a peak pressure of only 15 PSI on their feet pads and about 75 PSI on their toes – about the same peak pressure humans feel when walking. This is possible thanks to the anatomy of their feet that reduces the pressure exerted by their bodies.
#Rhinoceros height and weight full#
However, a rhino’s strong legs can withstand over three tons of weight while running at full speed. Their legs even look frail compared to the rest of their bodies. This is about ten times the hitting force of a lion and eight times that of a tiger.ĭue to their hefty bodies, rhinos rarely rise to stand on their hind feet. Their speed and huge body mass enable rhinos to exert about 8,370 pounds of force when hitting an opponent at full speed. They can run at speeds up to 34 miles per hour, much faster than elephants and even faster than grizzly or polar bears. However, some of the largest males are even heavier, their weight going up to 7,940 pounds (4 tons).ĭespite their massive bodies, rhinos are incredibly fast.
White rhinos are the largest of all rhino species, with an average weight of up to 6,000 pounds (3 tons). African rhinos are generally larger and more powerful than the Asian species, but they are all much stronger than humans, stronger than big cats such as lions and tigers, and even stronger than elephants. Rhinos are large and bulky mammals capable of exerting a lot of power. How Strong Are Rhinos Compared To Humans?.
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