Rhinoceros sondaicus
A one-horned rhinoceros with a single surviving wild population in Ujung Kulon. Strong protection and careful habitat management underpin its future.
PANDUANHEWAN · INDONESIA
Javan rhinoceros vs Sumatran rhinoceros: the differences
How do the Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus) and Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) differ? Classification, features, range, diet, size, IUCN status and legal protection, from cited sources.
The Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus) and the Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) share the family Rhinocerotidae but belong to different genera: Rhinoceros and Dicerorhinus. Range in Indonesia — the Javan rhinoceros: Ujung Kulon National Park, Banten; the Sumatran rhinoceros: Remaining Indonesian habitat pockets in Sumatra and Kalimantan.
Dicerorhinus sumatrensis
The smallest living rhino and the only two-horned Asian rhino. Isolated populations make finding mates and protecting habitat particular challenges.
Javan rhinoceros and Sumatran rhinoceros compared
| Aspect | Javan rhinoceros | Sumatran rhinoceros |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Rhinoceros sondaicus | Dicerorhinus sumatrensis |
| Indonesian name | Badak Jawa | Badak Sumatera |
| Class | Mammalia | Mammalia |
| Order | Perissodactyla | Perissodactyla |
| Family | Rhinocerotidae | Rhinocerotidae |
| Range in Indonesia | Ujung Kulon National Park, Banten | Remaining Indonesian habitat pockets in Sumatra and Kalimantan |
| Endemic to Indonesia | Yes | Yes |
| Key features | — | More conspicuous hair than other rhinos |
| Size | Body weight: 900–2,300 kg; 1.5–1.7 m at the shoulder | Body weight: 600–950 kg; 1.0–1.5 m at the shoulder |
| Diet | Leaves, shoots, and forest vegetation | Forest vegetation |
| Diet type | herbivore (plant-eater) | herbivore (plant-eater) |
| Reproduction | giving birth to live young (viviparous) | giving birth to live young (viviparous) |
| IUCN status | Critically Endangered | Critically Endangered |
| Legal protection | Protected (Regulation P.106/2018) | Protected (Regulation P.106/2018) |
Every cell comes from the sourced data on each animal’s page; an empty cell means the data is not yet available, not that it is absent.
How to tell them apart
- Sumatran rhinoceros: More conspicuous hair than other rhinos.
Sources
- International Rhino Foundation — Javan rhino ↗
- International Rhino Foundation — Arenga palm and rhino habitat ↗
- International Rhino Foundation — State of the Rhino 2024 ↗
- Peraturan Menteri LHK Nomor P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi ↗
- Animal Diversity Web ↗
- Animal Diversity Web ↗
- IUCN Red List ↗
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
- International Rhino Foundation — Sumatran rhino ↗
- WWF — Sumatran rhino ↗
- International Rhino Foundation — Rhino science ↗
- Animal Diversity Web ↗
- IUCN Red List ↗
- Handbook of the Mammals of the World, Vol. 2 Hoofed Mammals (Wilson & Mittermeier eds., Lynx Edicions 2011), Rhinocerotidae: Dicerorhinus sumatrensis account (Plazi treatment) ↗
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