Can you tell the age of a rhinoceros by the size of its horn?

The size of a rhinoceros' horn cannot be used to accurately determine its age. While it is true that a rhinoceros' horn grows throughout its life, many factors can affect the size of the horn, including genetics, nutrition, and environmental conditions.

Additionally, different species of rhinoceros have different horn growth patterns. For example, the black rhinoceros has two horns, while the white rhinoceros has one large horn. The size and shape of these horns can vary greatly between individuals and cannot be relied upon to determine age.

Instead, researchers use a variety of techniques to determine the age of rhinoceroses, including tooth eruption and wear patterns, bone density, and growth plate fusion. These methods are generally more reliable than horn size for determining the age of a rhinoceros.

It is important to note that rhinoceros populations around the world are threatened by poaching and habitat loss. Research into the biology and behavior of rhinoceroses is critical to their conservation and protection.