Total Weight

Male & Female upto 2400kg

Height

Male & Female 5 - 6 feet

Diet

Male & Female Grasses,leaves and fruits,

Lifespan

Male & Female 35-40 Years

Rhinoceros unicornis

Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, Patna is famous for successful conservation breeding of Greater one-horned rhinoceros. In the mid of year 1979, this Park received one pair of rhino named 'Kancha' and 'Kanchi' from state of Assam. Both these rhinos were subadult. Almost aer 3 years, in the year 1982 one rescued rhino (named Raju) from Beiah forest (at present Valmiki Tiger Reserve) came to this zoo, which led to the start of conservation breeding of rhino in this park. In the year 1988 one female rhino (Hartali) took birth from successful conjugation of Raju and Kanchi.

Rhinos

Park management is very sensitive towards inbreeding of rhinos. To improve genetic diversity, one male rhino, 'Ayodhya,' and one female rhino, 'Gairi,' were brought to this park under the animal exchange program from Delhi Zoo and San Diego Zoo, U.S.A., respectively. Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, Patna, has provided rhinos to Delhi, Kanpur, Ranchi, Hyderabad, Kevadia Zoo, and even to countries like the U.S.A.

At present, Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park has 8 male and 5 female rhinos. Park management is always striving to sustain the captive one-horned rhino population by providing a natural environment, including a muddy moat area, a clean night house, and by creating a dedicated conservation breeding center.

Facts About Rhinos

Attribute	Details
Weight	Male: 1,800 - 2,500 kg, Female: 1,400 - 2,000 kg
Height	5 - 6 feet at the shoulder
Diet	Grasses, leaves, shoots, and fruits
Lifespan	35 - 40 years in the wild, up to 45 years in captivity
Conservation Status	Varies by species — some Critically Endangered
Population in the Wild	Estimated around 27,000 across Africa and Asia
Social Structure	Generally solitary, though some species form small groups
Unique Behavior	Use their horns for defense and digging for water or minerals
Hunting Pattern	Herbivores — grazing for hours daily, especially in early morning and late evening
Mane Equivalent	Thick, armor-like skin with folds for added protection
Closest Relatives	Tapirs and Horses — all belong to the Perissodactyla order

Diet and Feeding Habits of Rhino

What Do Rhino Eat?

Rhinos are herbivores, meaning they rely entirely on plant-based food for survival. Their diet varies depending on the species and habitat, but generally, they feed on grasses, leaves, twigs, fruits, and shrubs. Grass forms the primary diet for white rhinos, while black rhinos prefer browsing on bushes, shrubs, and trees. Rhinos use their strong lips — broad for grazers and pointed for browsers — to pluck grass, leaves, and small branches. Their massive bodies require them to consume large amounts of food daily, often grazing or browsing for hours in the early morning and late evening.

Although they need water regularly, some rhino species, especially those in drier habitats, can survive for days by obtaining moisture directly from plants.

Grasses (60%)

Leaves & Shurbs (25%)

Fruits & Bark (5%)

Other Vegetation (5%)

Small Animals (5%)

Incredible Fun Facts About Rhinos!

Heavyweight Champions: Rhinos can weigh over 2,000 kilograms, making them one of the heaviest land animals.

Built-in Armor: Their thick skin acts like natural armor, protecting them from injuries and harsh environments.

Plant Lovers: Rhinos are herbivores, feasting on grass, leaves, and fruits to fuel their massive bodies.

Surprising Speed: Despite their size, rhinos can charge at speeds up to 50 km/h when threatened.

Super Senses: With excellent hearing and smell, rhinos can detect danger even before they see it.

Horn Pride: Each rhino’s horn is unique, growing throughout its lifetime and used for defense and digging

Nap Experts: Rhinos love to rest under the shade, often sleeping for hours during the hottest parts of the day.

Strong Start: Newborn rhinos weigh around 40 kg and start walking within just a few hours of birth.

Importance of Rhinoceros in Patna Zoo

Conservation Breeding Success

Patna Zoo is renowned for successfully breeding the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis).

The first pair of rhinos, Kancha and Kanchi, was brought from Assam in 1979.

In 1982, the zoo received Raju, a rescued rhino from Valmiki Tiger Reserve, marking the beginning of the rhino conservation breeding program.

The first captive-born rhino, Hartali, was born in 1988 from Raju and Kanchi.

To date, 28 rhino calves have been born at Patna Zoo, making it a key conservation center

World-Class Rhino Breeding Center

In 2019, a dedicated Rhino Breeding Center was inaugurated at Patna Zoo.

Patna Zoo ranks second in the world for rhino breeding, after San Diego Zoo (USA).

The center focuses on maintaining genetic diversity, scientific breeding techniques, and a natural habitat

Genetic Diversity & Animal Exchange

To prevent inbreeding, Patna Zoo brought: Ayodhya (male) from Delhi Zoo Gairi (female) from San Diego Zoo, USA

Patna Zoo has contributed to rhino conservation by providing rhinos to various zoos in Delhi, Kanpur, Ranchi, Hyderabad, Kevadia, and even the USA

Patna Zoo's conservation efforts, breeding success, genetic management, and awareness programs make the rhinoceros one of its most significant species, reinforcing its commitment to wildlife preservation.