This majestic creature is unfortunately not the most attractive..........almost extinct and if we are not careful, the African rhino will soon follow suit.

This majestic creature is unfortunately not the most attractive. It is an endangered species but it is neither cute nor lovable like the panda or the orangutan.

What makes this giant so odd? Well, its legs appear too short to support its weight. The rhinoceros' skin hangs loosely over its body. It is huge. A full grown rhino is about two meters high and about four meters long from nose to tail. African rhinos have two horns, one much larger than the other. It is a heavy animal weighing more than a ton. The animal has a keen sense of smell and acute hearing but it has very weak eyesight. The rhino cannot see until it is almost in front of its target.

Clumsy as it looks, the rhino is an agile animal. It can easily climb up steep slopes, charge at 50 km an hour and leap up from a lying position.

The rhino's temper is also well known. It often attacks trucks, jeeps and even moving trains. Yet it is also considered a wild African animal that is very easy to tame. A penned rhino will even eat out of the hands of its keeper.

The black rhino is also very adaptable. It can be found over a large area - from mountainous areas, to plains, and desert areas. The two countries with the most rhinos are Kenya and Tanzania.

About fifty years ago, the rhinoceros was a common animal in Africa. However, today it is becoming rare. It is being hunted to extinction for its horn. Unfortunately, the rhino horn is considered very powerful medicine, especially for men. The horn can fetch several thousand dollars in Asia. The lure of money means the animal is hunted even though it is a protected species. The Sumatran rhino is almost extinct and if we are not careful, the African rhino will soon follow suit.

Summary: The rhino is majestic in size but is not an attractive animal. It looks odd because its huge body is held up by short legs. The rhino can hear and smell very well. However, it has poor eyesight. The rhino is also surprisingly agile. It moves fast and confidently. The rhino is quick-tempered yet it can be easily tamed. Some people, especially Asians, think that the horn has medicinal properties. As a result, the rhino is hunted. The Sumatran rhino is now extinct even though it was a protected species. The African rhino is also in grave danger now.