Dwarf forest rhinoceros

The **dwarf forest rhinoceros** (*Nanodiceros sylvaticus*), also known as the **pied rhinoceros**, is a species of rhinoceros, most closely related to the black rhinoceros, that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the tropical rainforests and forested wetlands across Central Africa and the Gulf of Guinea to help boost biodiversity. The dwarf forest rhinoceros is a rather small member of the Rhinocerotidae family, growing to be similar in size to the Sumatran rhinoceros, or 112–145 centimeters (44–57 inches) tall at the shoulder, with a head-and-body length of 2.36–3.18 meters (7 feet 9 inches – 10 feet 5 inches) and a tail of 35–70 centimeters (14–28 inches). The weight ranges from 500–1,000 kilograms (1,100–2,200 lbs), averaging 700–800 kilograms (1,500–1,800 lbs). Its smaller size, shorter legs and barrel shaped body are adaptations for living in a densely vegetated and humid environment. It also shows a pied coloration, like the Malayan tapir, and it fills a similar ecological niche to tapirs and Sumatran rhinoceroses, which are not native to Africa. The dwarf forest rhino is usually most active when eating, at dawn, and just after dusk. During the day, they wallow in mud baths to cool down and rest. In the rainy season, they move to higher elevations; in the cooler months, they return to lower areas in their range. When mud holes are unavailable, the rhino will deepen puddles with its feet and horns. The wallowing behaviour helps the rhino maintain its body temperature and protect its skin from ectoparasites and other insects. The dwarf forest rhino is a mostly solitary animal except for courtship and offspring-rearing. It is one of the most vocal rhino species and also communicates through marking soil with its feet, twisting saplings into patterns, and leaving excrement. Like the Sumatran rhino, the dwarf forest rhino makes three distinct noises: *eeps*, *whales*, and *whistle-blows*. The eep, a short, one-second-long yelp, is the most common sound. The whale, named for its similarity to vocalizations of the humpback whale, is the most song-like vocalization and the second-most common. The whale varies in pitch and lasts from four to seven seconds. The whistle-blow is named because it consists of a two-second-long whistling noise and a burst of air in immediate succession. The whistle-blow is the loudest of the vocalizations. The purpose of the vocalizations are thought to convey danger, sexual readiness, and location, as do other ungulate vocalizations. Sexual relationships within this species begin with a courtship period characterized by increased vocalization, tail raising, urination, and increased physical contact. The pattern of courtship is most similar to that of the closely related black rhinoceros. Female dwarf forest rhinoceroses become sexually mature at the age of six to seven years, while bulls become sexually mature at about 10 years old. The gestation period is around 15–16 months. The calf, which typically weighs 40–60 kg (88–132 lb), is weaned after about 15 months and stays with its mother for the first two to three years of its life. In the wild, the birth interval for this species is estimated to be four to five years. The conservation status of the dwarf forest rhinoceros is **Vulnerable** due to habitat loss and poaching, however, thanks to the conservationists, the dwarf forest rhinoceros is a protected species.