 Reference Base  Further observations on the Great Indian one-horned rhino... |
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Gee, E.P., 1953. Further observations on the Great Indian one-horned rhinoceros (R. unicornis Linn.). Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 51 (4): 765-772, pls. 1-2
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| Location: |
Asia - South Asia - India - Assam |
| Subject: |
Behaviour - Social Behaviour |
| Species: |
Indian Rhino |
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From personal observations made in Kaziranga since 1939 I have found that, although the rhino is not actually a gregarious animal, there are certain conditions other than sexual which bring them frequently together. At the time when the areas of burnt-off grass produce tender green shoots in the spring rhino will congregate in small groups while grazing; and I once saw as many as six rhino within a space the size of a football field, and have often seen them in threes and fours.
At the time of standing rice crops during the months of August, September, October and November the same phenomenon occurs. For example on 15-8-1953 I visited the area at Kaziranga known as Kohora Grazing, which is outside the sanctuary. Within 2 hours, in an area of about one mile long by a quarter of a mile wide I counted 22 rhino at close quarters, without searching for them in the elephant grass. They frequented this open area in the daytime, and were in the habit of raiding the newly planted paddy at night, so the local people told me. In one place four rhino, three adult and one three-quarter-grown, were huddled together on dry ground, so close that they were almost touching each other. Further on was a pair together in some shallow water. Later I came across 7 rhino together -the Kan Katta a little apart and the other six closer together, all seven of them in an area of about one acre. Two or them were a pair and walked away together, and after a short while indulged in a little flirting. There is also the case of Romeo and Juliet remaining as a pair for at least four months before mating. And again there is the peculiar phenomenon of several rhino collecting at a small mud-hole during the hot days of the monsoon. When monsoon floods invade the sanctuary, the muddy wallows so much sought after by rhino for warding of flies are very few and far between. The few that exist are in great demand, and several rhino sometimes have to share a wallow. For example, on 23-7-53 A. Jairamdas, while visiting Kaziranga in company with the Range Officer, saw no less than seven rhino lying in the same mud wallow, which was so small that the animals were all touching each other.
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