Javan rhinoceros

The rarest and most threatened of five extant rhinoceroses’ species

Tobias Nowlan


Javan rhinoceros

EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE

The rarest and most threatened of five extant rhinoceroses’ species

Population 76

A unique and critically endangered species that bears a distinct appearance with its dusky grey, hairless skin adorned with several loose folds that mimic the appearance of armor plating. While offering an imposing visage, this natural armor is not just for show but is part of the rhinoceros’s unique adaptation to its environment. One notable feature that sets the Javan rhinoceros apart from its cousins is its horn. Unlike other rhinoceros species known for their long and majestic horns, the Javan rhinoceros presents with a much shorter horn, typically not exceeding 25 cm (10 inches). Furthermore, this species exhibits a sexual dimorphism in this trait; only males are equipped with a horn, while females are not, a fascinating aspect of their biology.

In terms of size and physical appearance, the Javan rhinoceros shares similarities with the Indian rhinoceros but is distinguishably smaller and sports less pronounced skin folds. This subtle difference in physical characteristics highlights the diversity within the rhinoceros family, with each species adapting uniquely to its habitat and lifestyle.

Historically, the Javan rhinoceros had a range that extended across Southeast Asia and reached into northeast India, signifying a once broad distribution that reflected the species’ adaptability and ecological significance. However, the current status of the Javan rhinoceros is in stark contrast to its historical abundance. Today, the entire population of Javan rhinoceroses is confined to Ujung Kulon National Park in Indonesia, a sobering reminder of the species’ perilous state. The eradication of the Javan rhinoceros from Vietnam in 2010, with the poaching of the last individual, underscores the critical threats facing this species, primarily from poaching driven by the demand for their horns.

The predicament of the Javan rhinoceros in Indonesia is a critical conservation concern. The species’ survival hangs in a delicate balance; if the population in Ujung Kulon National Park were to be lost, it would mean the extinction of the Javan rhinoceros.

Distribution

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Bangladesh
Official estimate
EX
Extinct 20th century
Cambodia
Official estimate
EX
Extinct 2010
China
Official estimate
EX
Extinct 20,000 years ago
India
Official estimate
EX
Extinct 20th century
Indonesia
76
Official estimate
CR
2019
Laos
Official estimate
EX
Extinct locally
Malaysia
Official estimate
EX
Last hunted 1932
Myanmar
Official estimate
EX
Last record 1920
Thailand
Official estimate
EX
Extinct locally
Vietnam
Official estimate
EX
Last hunted 2010

Recent updates

Jan 2023: Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry updated on the arrival of two new Javan rhino calves!

Did you know?

  • They are the smallest of the living rhinoceros species and are also known as the Sunda rhinoceros.
  • Javan rhinos are known for their distinctive prehensile lip, which allows them to grasp and pull leaves and twigs from trees.
  • Despite their massive size, Javan rhinos are excellent swimmers and can cross deep rivers and swim long distances to reach new habitats.
  • Javan rhinos have poor eyesight, but a strong sense of smell and hearing, which they use to navigate their environment and avoid predators.

Anything we've missed?

Help us improve this page by suggesting edits. Glory never dies!

Suggest an edit

Get to know me

Terrestrial / Aquatic

Altricial / Precocial

Polygamous / Monogamous

Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd

Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

Migratory: Yes / No

Domesticated: Yes / No

Dangerous: Yes / No