Rhinos

Dust clouds rise as large feet make their way toward the slowly draining watering hole, the only source of relief under the burning sun. Even as the water slowly wastes away under the glare from above, the mud remains cool, soft and pliable instead of the cracked earth seen elsewhere. A single roll brings instant relief, coating the skin with a layer of protection. As long as mud exists in these burning grasslands, these creatures will be protected from the sun which never stops.
Rhinos are large creatures that roam the plains and grassland areas of the Southern Continent. Their large horn and stature command respect in the Scorched Plains, Strangeway Flats, and the Sunset Fields where the climate alone dooms most that live there. Even being built to survive the heat, these creatures are forever in search of mud and water to cool their skin and give them relief under the burning sun.
Those who have crossed paths with Rhinos are often left unscathed or find themselves injured by impalement. Much like the other large mammals of these lands, Rhinos will protect their groups at all costs, including charging those that dare wander too close to the young. Travelers find it in their favor to give these creatures a wide berth, allowing them their peace and relief without disturbance.

Basic Information

Roaming Rhinos

Rhinos on Road by redcharlie on Unsplash

Rhinos often live in small groups known as "crashes." These groups can be multigenerational and often follow similar migration patterns to Elephants.

Anatomy

Rhinos are large creatures that can stand up to seven feet tall at the shoulder and can reach up to thirteen feet in length. These creatures can weigh between two thousand and five thousand pounds, making them extremely large creatures, especially in the grasslands they call home.
These animals have extremely thick skin that can be nearly two inches thick. This skin is tough to penetrate and is made of a variety of layers in a honeycomb structure. Having skin so thick often makes the animals extremely warm, meaning they often have to use external measures to cool off.
Depending on the variety of Rhinos, these creatures may have one or two horns that can grow to be extremely long. Front horns, the longer of the two, can grow to be between twenty and sixty inches long. Those with the longest horns are often the oldest in a group and may be the largest. Their horns can grow up to two inches a year as long as the Rhino is healthy.
Rhinos have three toes and stocky feet that allow them to traverse the warm and desolate terrain of their homeland. These creatures can reach speeds of up to thirty-five miles per hour, although this is not a speed they can maintain over great distances.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

The much warmer climate of the Southern Continent supports a wide variety of large herbivores that thrive with the leafy and fibrous flora that grows across the continent. Areas like the Scorched Plains, Strangeway Flats, and Sunset Fields are the most fit for these types of creatures as the open land and shorter vegetation can support larger animals.
Rhinos have a wider variety in their diet than most herbivores in these areas, being able to eat rougher and more fibrous plants that other animals cannot digest. Because of this, Rhinos are more drought-resistant than other animals and can survive in these grassland areas even when the climate becomes more desolate.

Rhino

Rhino by Glen Carrie on Unsplash

Rhinos are known for their large horns that serve as protection as well as allow them to push over trees and bushes to reach their food. Commonly, Rhinos are found in areas close to herds of Elephants.

Lifespan

30 to 50 years

Average Height

5 to 7 ft at the shoulder

Average Weight

2000 to 5000 lbs

Average Length

9 to 13 ft

Group Name

Crash of Rhinos

Geographic Distribution

• Scorched Plains
• Strangeway Flats
• Sunset Fields