 Reference Base  Epidermal structures in a rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) |
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| Subject: |
Morphology |
| Species: |
White Rhino |
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It is frequently stated that body hairs, save those constituting the ear- and tail-fringes are lacking in the Rhinocerotidae, though Beddard recognized an unobtrusive and rather sparse hairy covering as a general familial character.
Neuville observed hairs around the base of the horn in the three Asiatic species, and Lydekker considered Didermocerus a form specially prone to hairiness, the so-called species 'Rhinoceros lasiotis' being based on nothing more than a particularly hirsute specimen. Bigalke et al. described, in an infant Ceratotherium simum, a very sparse hairy covering, becoming less obvious with advancing age and we have noted a discrete hair tuft upon the nuchal eminence of an immature animal of this species. Reliable records as to the hairiness of young specimens of Rhinoceros unicornis, R. sondaicus and Diceros bicornis appear to be lacking.
It is probable that in some rhinoceros species at least, as in the elephant, the neonatus manifests an extremely sparse hairy coat which disappears gradually either as the result of friction or the accumulation of subcutaneous fat.
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