It is the one marked by the singular foldings of its skin, thickly embellished with protuberances or knobs, that give it a shield-like appearance.

This distinguishes it from the African species, all of which are without these knobs, though the hides of some are knotty or warty.

The Abyssinian rhinoceros has also foldings of the skin, which approach it somewhat to the character of the Indian species.

Both the Sumatra and Java kinds are small compared with their huge cousin, the Indian rhinoceros, which inhabits only continental India, Siam, and Cochin China.
The Javan species more resembles the Indian, in having scutellae over the skin and being one-horned.

It is, however, without the singular folds which characterise the latter.