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World |
| Subject: |
Taxonomy - Evolution |
| Species: |
All Rhino Species |
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Although the different species of rhino look similar and originally descended from a single common ancestor, they represent two evolutionary lines which split tens of millions of years ago. One line led to the one-horned rhino, seen today as the primitive Javan rhino and the more advanced Indian species. The second led to the two-horned type, the Sumatran rhino being a true descendant, but about 10 million years ago, a branch found its way to Africa and eventually separated into the Black and White rhino. Both African rhinos evolved to feed without cutting teeth - present in all three Asian species-while their long, sharp horns became important for defence.
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Rhinos of the world
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