“Facts of Life in the Wild”, a post of 11-10-14, addresses some of these issues as well.
Category Archives: Rhino Family
Kith and Kin
Back a bunch of Million years ago, say 50 or 55, We first became aware of RhinoHeart (10-20-14). This was quite an occasion, as it was our first inkling that We were venturing in a new direction, diverging from the rest of the family, as We knew it. Up until then, We all looked about the same. Odd-numbered toes, kind of small and lumpy, fast on our feet.
But things worked out this way: We are cousins with both Horses and Tapirs, though the differences have become more marked with Time. Those differences are not just physical. Those families took off in their own directions, answering the call of Nature as they heard it. HorseHeart, TapirHeart.
We did the same thing, only We were dealt different cards. Happily. We have no complaints, that’s for sure. Still, there is that DNA that makes Us recall the connection. One whiff, and We know We are cousins, kissing or no.
We’ve all been busy.
Story Time in the Wild
We like stories that the Young can easily recall, almost all of which feature a Memorable Moral.
An example of such a tale would be:
There was once a little Rhino who went skipping away from her Mother. She met a hyena on her Adventure. The End.
A Helping Hand
We thought you might like to know more about Organizations that are helping Us on a Range of Pressing Topics.
For an overview, you can’t beat The Rhino Resource Center: (@rhinoresourcecenter.com). Many organizations are listed, plus informative articles and fun stuff as well. From this site you can learn more about:
The International Rhino Foundation (@rhinos.org)
SOS Rhino (@sosrhino.com)
Save the Rhino (@savetherhino.org)
The World Wildlife Fund (@wwf.panda.org)
We’d be grateful for your involvement, ‘cause We can use the assistance. These and other organized efforts are doubtless Essential- for Us Rhinos, at any rate.
Sideways Style
So here We are, back about 20-30 million years ago. What is distinctive here is how Nature arranged our horns, side by side. Only the Diceratherium family had the same arrangement, at roughly the same time. Diceratherium were larger, and lived in North America, while the Menoceras family started out in Europe and later shifted to North America.
When We say Diceratherium were larger, you should understand that Menoceras was only as big as a healthy sheep today. We were lightly built, all things considered, and were great Runners. That was jolly, as We lived in herds and liked to trot hither and thither. Nothing like a Good Trot to work up an appetite.
Of some interest is that these horns were only worn by the males of the family; Nature is a prankster, and that’s a fact. Nobody’s safe.
Hopping & Skipping
Nature most often gives signals of Momentous Change before it happens. Some events happen at an amazing pace; the warning timeframe can be brief indeed.
Part of our species’ success rests on our ability to Pay Attention. When it’s time to pack up and move out, one must. You get one warning; it’s foolhardy to wait for the second notice. Admittedly, it used to be easier to go somewhere else; Back Then there was somewhere else to go.
Because nothing is entirely predictable, We recommend staying in shape, in case an exit is ultra-hasty. If We can’t be clever, We can be Quick.
Bigger than a Mammoth, yes really.
Elasmotherium is what We are called, by you all. Those of you who call Us anything, that is. Both of you.
Entering a Discussion of Horns, which is how you mostly recognize Us Rhinos, We thought Elasmotherium would make a good poster cousin. This is the biggest horn any of Us has ever sprouted, being about 7 feet long. Like all of our horns, it is made of keratin, the same as your fingernails. Pretty impressive, if you are into extremes.
Horns are a responsibility, for sure. Horns as grand as this came at a cost, namely Migraines, which We invented, certainly not by choice. Horns seem more useful than they are on the average day. Still, We have always regarded them as some sort of distinction.
This family of Large Rhinos lived in Europe and Asia, which were mostly colder than today. This was all quite recent, only 3 million years ago, but lasting until the time of Humans. Both African Rhino families are older than that, as you probably know.
Many Rhinos have not had horns; Nature did not provide them for our first 25 million years. We often think of horns as a novelty.
It’s always something…
Back When, things happened all the time. This is why maps have always confused us. One eon there is a clear and pleasant path, the next, Nature has put a glacier there. You could come back next week, and that’s gone- replaced by the Grand Canyon. Always something on its way. This is why We stay flexible. We dance with the prevailing winds. Accommodating, that’s Us. Ask anybody.
Skill Sets
As any youngster with a Mother knows, Eye Rolling is an essential talent. We Rhinos are no different. Entirely useful during parental discussions.
Playground Mathematics
Some of Us would easily teeter this standard family car, even if the family were in it, and the trunk was full of bricks. So this post answers that question.
And no, it doesn’t matter what color the car is.
Your Inner Rhino 