• Greg Joens
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Rhinoceros often abbreviated as rhino, is a group of five extant species of knee-less, odd-toed ungulates in the family Rhinocerotidae. Two of these species are native to Africa and three to southern Asia. Members of the rhinoceros family are characterized by their large size (they are some of the largest remaining megafauna, with all of the species able to reach one tonne or more in weight); as well as by a herbivorous diet; a thick protective skin, 1.5–5 cm thick, formed from layers of collagen positioned in a lattice structure; relatively small brains for mammals this size (400–600 g); and a large horn. They generally eat leafy material, although their ability to ferment food in their hindgut allows them to subsist on more fibrous plant matter, if necessary. Unlike other perissodactyls, the two African species of rhinoceros lack teeth at the front of their mouths, relying instead on their powerful premolar and molar teeth to grind up plant food.[1] Rhinoceros are killed by humans for their horns, which are bought and sold on the black market, and which are used by some cultures for ornamental or (pseudo-scientific) medicinal purposes. The horns are made of keratin, the same type of protein that makes up hair and fingernails.[2] Both African species and the Sumatran rhinoceros have two horns, while the Indian and Javan rhinoceros have a single horn. The IUCN Red List identifies three of the species as critically endangered.

4 Comments

Anonymous Guest

shenur masters 08 Mar 2014

Wow beautiful sketch love this!

Seth Weaver 18 Sep 2012

A brilliant and stunning rhino portrait, Greg.

Artist Reply: Thank you, Seth. I really enjoy the animal portraits... more to come.

Anonymous Guest 18 Sep 2012

Wonderful artwork and I learned a lot from your post. Great work!

Julie Mayser 18 Sep 2012

Superb, cousin Greg! A different take/subject than your usual people drawings! Altho, your drawings are so complete that it seems a shame to call them "mere" drawings!

Artist Reply: Thank you, Cousin!!! I do enjoy the detail!