Along with the tapir and the horse, the rhinoceros makes up the order of odd-toed hoofed animals. Its huge frame is supported by short legs with broad feet, ending in three-toes. The rhinoceros horn is composed of the fibrous protein keratin, which makes up the skin cells, hair, scales, and feathers of many animals. Although its massive body and extremely thick skin garner much attention, the rhinoceros is most commonly known for its horns, one or two depending on the species. There are five living species of rhinoceros, three of which are native to Asia, and all of which are endangered. Scientific Name: Rhinoceros unicornis, Rhinoceros sondaicus, Dicerorhinus sumatrensis However, the animal model in the game has only one horn and the skin fold 'armor' typical of Asian rhinoceroses. The Rhinoceros icon depicts a two-horned species similar to the African White Rhinoceros ( Ceratotherium simum).

There is also the Pet Rhinoceros known as Randy the Pet Rhino, available to the Indians from their Home City, or from a Treasure guarded by five Black Panthers. Rhinoceros have high hit points and a strong attack, and are found in Asian maps. The Rhinoceros is the largest land animal Treasure Guardian in Age of Empires III. Rhinoceroses make up for their faster attack speed by providing more food than Wild Boars. For comparison, an un- Loomed Villager luring a Rhino from maximum range and retreating as soon as possible will die 10 tiles earlier, after travelling 27 tiles on average. Although the Rhinoceros has the same HP as the Wild Boar, it attacks faster (0.9 sec vs 1.6 sec animation duration, respectively) and is, in consequence, more likely to kill hunters before dying.It is possible that this image was chosen so it could double as a Sumatran Rhinoceros ( Dicerorhinus sumatrensis), which also has two horns and lived in the Asian mainland during the Middle Ages.

Despite being introduced in an Asian-themed expansion, the Rhinoceros most closely resembles an African Black Rhinoceros ( Diceros bicornis).

It is worth noting that unlike other similarly aggressive huntable animals such as the Elephant or the Wild Boar, the Rhinoceros may often be found in packs, sometimes up to three. A powerful animal, it will viciously defend itself against any attacker, but as it provides 400 food, it is one of the most valuable animal food sources in Age of Empires II. It is found in maps set in South East Asia (and in the Definitive Edition also in Africa). The Rhinoceros is a huntable animal introduced in Rise of the Rajas.

How large is rhinoceros 5