By the time Hamlet is over, almost everyone is dead. One by one, the whole cast is done in. Horatio, Hamlet’s pal, is left to assess the damages and wonder how he escaped Mr. Shakespeare’s lethal attentions. We suppose someone had to be left to explain how matters got out of hand.
Rhinos find this aspect of Tragedy interesting. Our worldwide numbers are thinning, so We pay special attention.
Fortunately for Us, Rhinos are stout-hearted critters; We march onward while the marching is good.
Today’s Halloween solution is not to a State of Mind, but to a State itself. The pointer aims at Badlands National Park. Rhinos used to live there. There is still time to visit, if you like.
This area is just part of our old Rhino Stomping Grounds. The RFamily was a New World mega-influence Back When (which covers roughly 35 million years of development, they say. Rhinos certainly weren’t counting.)
You doubtless recall: Rhinos did much familial branching in North America. Then, 5 or 10 million years ago or so, the weather changed, and We folded our tents. We respond to the Call of the Wild. We are Nature’s playthings. And were then, too.
Rhino Finery: not only enchanting but educational. Amazing!
The happy Sumatran Rhino shows Us a “today” place in the March of Time. Precarious perhaps, but present. Tight squeezes are no novelty for the Rhino Family. “Close” is often good enough; it’s had to be.
The X up top marks Nature’s creation of RhinoHeart, back when. The dotted line shows how We, as a Family, slipped through the cracks from one age to another. Many Rhino gangs did not successfully duck and dodge, but a few have made it, which is all it takes. Rhinos are slippery. And lucky, knock wood.
Compared to other lines and critters, We are a model of Natural Success. Many more groups are gone than have present-day representatives.
Time and History are comical; Rhinos may survive to have the Last Laugh. We’ll see.
Here We are, the Greater One-horn Rhinos, or, Indian Rhinos, all the same thing. We are not fussy. Many of Us live in south-central Nepal, hence the title. It’s a sanctuary for wildlife, among whom We are happy to be numbered. Still.
Beside our sumptuous bulk, say 5000 pounds, give or take a thousand, We happen to have the most breathtaking folds and bumples all over Us. Some people think it makes us indestructible, but that is not so; We are permeable. The single horn is also definitive; you are unlikely to see a Javan Rhino, the only other one horned species today.
One horn, that’s Us. And huggable. We are an affectionate crowd.
We live where they make Monsoons, which are a Big Experience. We like them. Good and Wet.
Here you see a Javan Rhino, moving hastily though the brush. This branch of the family is at an existential crossroads, and things do not look promising.
Closely related to the Indian One-horn Rhino branch, the remnants of our line live in the tropical jungles of Java. Our range used to be all over Southeast Asia, but no longer. We have interesting skin, pebbly but not as knobby as our Indian cousins. How did We get to Java?, you might ask. In times past, the ocean level was lower, so We could stroll. Rhinos are accomplished strollers. (see 4/11/15)
Many female Javan Rhinos don’t grow a horn at all. Nature might give a convincing explanation of why that is, but not We.
For obvious reasons, Javan Rhinos are extremely leery of contact with the public.
It has come to our attention that Your Inner Rhino has not been very clear about what parts of the greater Rhino Family are presently represented on the planet. Seems obvious as a topic, but it does not hold our attention to any great extent; We are all Rhinos, We have RhinoHeart, and that’s what counts.
That Said, here you go! Here We have a Sumatran Rhino, the hairiest of the Gang. We live in Southeast Asia, mostly solitary and living in dense jungle. We can weigh a ton, but are the smallest Rhino species. We are surprisingly agile, and are known for a sharp sense of humor. Two horns, but modest.
We are the most ancient lineage of the RFamily living today. We are few in numbers, due to hunting and habitat pressures.
The reason this all seems a bit beside the point is that each Rhino, Sumatran or not, is an individual critter, doing our best to thrive. Seems more important than a label, at least to Us.
Most days Rhinos work with whatever is going on in our heads, making our way, nibbling and ruminating. But on rare and spectacular occasion, an Idea strikes us, a Perception or Whatever, that clarifies things in some ultra-dynamic way. It feels like being clocked with a skillet. Inspiring if a bit disorienting.
It happens, and naturally, We are grateful. Whether every critter is chosen for these insights, We cannot say. Rhinos are just pleased to be on the Delivery List. All families, all locales, We get these Messages.
What We do not know (one thing among many) is Where do these Ideas come from?! How do they locate Us, and send just the right Idea to the right customer? Is there some sort of place where Ideas develop themselves? We might like to take credit for our own mental acuity, but We can’t do it. Someplace, Ideas are brewing and enhancing themselves. Incubating.
But Where?
None of Us is ever alone. We might look like We are alone, but no.
We have our immediate family, the other Rhinos in the area, each doing whatever seems needful at the time.
We have all the other R family members, all over the place, all backing Us up, cheering Us on. Enjoying Us.
And We have all the Rhinos that have gone before Us, 55 millions years worth, all rejoicing in Us today.
Each of Us is a Crowd. All Partying. Inside.
Today We are the representatives of an ancient and noble family. Millions of Rhinos have gone before Us, millions more than are celebrating Rhinotude today. We are glad and grateful. Pretty impressive family, all told.
Rhinoheart, burning bright.
Until sufficient bulk is attained, Rhino Tots are vulnerable to predation. What stands between each Young Rhino and disaster is Mother. The Gold Standard is, and has been, and doubtless will be, Mom.
For Rhinos, single parenthood is the only system We know.
Each of Us is only here because Mom guaranteed our well-being through those crucial years, so every day is Mother’s Day.
Your Inner Rhino 