Javan rhinoceros

The Javan rhinoceros is one of the rarest large mammals on Earth.

It is a critically endangered animal, which means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever. Today, there is only one known wild population left in the world. This small group of about 74 rhinos lives in Ujung Kulon National Park. This park is located at the far western tip of Java, in Indonesia.

Because they are so rare, scientists must be very careful when they study them. Instead of following the animals, researchers use camera traps and fecal samples to learn about them.

This rhino has a very unique look. Its gray skin has many folds that create a mosaic pattern. This pattern makes the animal look like it is wearing a suit of armor.

The Javan rhino is also smaller than the Indian rhinoceros. It has a single horn on its nose, but only the males have one. The females are usually hornless as they grow into adults. These rhinos use their horns for many tasks. They use them to pull down plants to eat or to scrape mud in wallows.

Wallowing in mud helps them stay cool and protects their skin from pests.

Many different things have caused the rhino population to shrink over time. In the past, people hunted them for their horns. These horns are highly valued in traditional Chinese medicine. During the 1700s and 1800s, trophy hunting was also a big threat. As more people moved into these areas, the rhinos lost the forests they call home. This loss of habitat makes it hard for the species to recover. Today, the rhinos face risks from disease and a lack of genetic diversity. This happens when a population becomes too small and animals breed too closely.

History shows us how much the rhino's home has changed.

Long ago, these rhinos lived in many places. They were found in parts of China, India, and Southeast Asia. They liked living in dense rainforests, wet grasslands, and large floodplains. By the early 20th century, they had disappeared from most of these areas. They were lost from the Malay Peninsula by 1932. The last rhinos on the island of Sumatra died out during World War II. Now, the only place they can be found is the protected area in Indonesia.

The name of this animal tells us about its history. The word "rhinoceros" comes from two ancient Greek words. One word means "nose" and the other means "horn."

The specific name, *sondaicus*, comes from the Sunda region. This region includes islands like Java, Sumatra, and Borneo. Scientists have studied these animals for a long time. In 1822, a scientist named Anselme Gaëtan Desmarest gave them their scientific name. Even though they are hard to find, we know they are still trying to survive. In 2011, cameras showed two mothers with their calves in the wild.