Overview
Indian Rhinoceros (Greater One-horned) appears on the Exotic Wildlife Association species list as Rhinoceros (Indian) — ESA: Endangered; CITES: Appendix I. [1]
Native range
Indian rhinoceroses ( Rhinoceros unicornis ) were historically found across the northern part of the Indian subcontinent - as far west as Pakistan and as far east as Bangladesh. [2]
Size
1,500–2,400 kg (ADW range). [2]
Lifespan
40 years (wild, range); 47 years (captivity, range); 43 years (captivity, average). [2]
Breeding & gestation
Gestation 425–496 days; average 479 days; offspring per birth: 1; females mature at 4 to 5 years. [2]
Temperament & social structure
Not verified from a primary source for this page.
Habitat needs
Indian rhinoceroses are most commonly found in tropical and temperate regions of southern Nepal and northeast India. ADW biomes: savanna or grassland, forest. Elevation range 0–70 m. [2]
Where they thrive (Texas / US)
Not verified from a primary source for this page.
Space per animal
No verified species-specific stocking rate was found. Carrying capacity depends on rainfall, range condition and competing grazers—get a range/stocking assessment (NRCS or Texas A&M AgriLife).
Housing & shelter
Not verified from a primary source for this page.
Fencing
No primary-source fencing standard was verified for this species; get containment advice from an experienced keeper or veterinarian.
Natural diet
Indian rhinoceroses are generalist herbivores that need approximately 150 to 200 kg of food each day. ADW diet type: herbivore, folivore, frugivore, granivore, lignivore. [2]
Feed & supplementation
No verified species-specific diet formulation was found for this page; follow a veterinarian or nutritionist.
Common health issues & parasites
No verified species-specific health list for this page; consult a veterinarian experienced with this species.
Vet care & vaccination
No vaccines are labeled for this species in the US; any vaccination protocol is extra-label and should be set by a veterinarian experienced with exotic hoofstock. (No specific protocol was verified for this page.)
Handling & capture
Capture myopathy—muscle damage from pursuit, restraint and transport—is often fatal in wild ungulates. Minimize chase time and stress, avoid hot conditions, use appropriate chemical immobilization by a vet, and release/unload quickly. [3]
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable. [4]
Legal notes (general info, not legal advice)
Listed Endangered under the US Endangered Species Act (per the EWA list; confirm current status on USFWS ECOS). Interstate sale or transport of ESA-listed animals requires federal authorization. CITES: Appendix I. General information, not legal advice. USDA APHIS licensing under the Animal Welfare Act applies to dealers and exhibitors; check USDA and your state wildlife and animal-health agencies before buying, moving or selling. [1][5][6]
Sources
- Exotic Wildlife Association – Endangered Species List (ESA status & CITES appendix)
- Animal Diversity Web (Univ. of Michigan) – Rhinoceros unicornis
- Breed et al. 2019, Understanding capture myopathy (Conservation Physiology, PMC6612673)
- IUCN Red List – Rhinoceros unicornis (assessment page)
- USFWS ECOS – Listed Animals (current ESA status)
- USDA APHIS – Animal Welfare Act licensing & registration
Figures are taken from the numbered sources; items marked "not verified" could not be confirmed from a primary source and are intentionally left blank. Husbandry guidance is general—confirm with an exotic-animal veterinarian.