Southern Africa Mammals - White Rhinoceros
Why Africa's Second Largest Herbivore Forms Part of the Big Five
May 17, 2009
Africa plays host to two sub-species of White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), namely the Northern White Rhinoceros, which is now believed to be extinct, and the Southern White Rhinoceros. Although few to none of the Southern White Rhinoceros still exists outside wildlife reserves, their numbers have increased during the past decade and visitors often encounter them during visits to the reserves.
What Does a White Rhino Look Like
Adult White Rhinoceros weighs between 1440 kilograms (females) and 2300 kilograms (males) making them the second largest mammal in Africa. Only the African Elephant weighs more at between 3600 kilograms and 6000 kilograms. The body of a white rhinoceros is grey. Their coats can also take on the color of the earth where they graze, as rhinoceros often bathe and roll in mud to rid their skin of parasites.
Standing approximately 180 centimeters tall, the white rhinoceros has pointed ears, an elongated head that ends in a flat square mouth and two horns protruding from the top of the snout. A hump on the top of the neck adds to the distinctive look of the rhinoceros. White rhinoceros have small eyes with bad eyesight, but they have a keen sense of smell and excellent hearing according to Burger Cillie, The Mammal Guide of Southern Africa, Briza Publications, 2004.
What Do White Rhinoceros Eat
White rhinoceros are grazers preferring shorter grass. The wide and square mouth is specially adapted to facilitate the plucking of short tufts of grass from the ground.
Why Do Rhinoceros Have Horns
The horns on the snout of the white rhinoceros are hard, hair-like growths and the front horn is bigger than the back. The average horn length of an adult white rhinoceros is 85 centimeters, but a record length of 158.12 centimeters has been recorded. Rhinoceros use the horns almost exclusively to protect themselves and their young against attack. White rhino are not as aggressive as black rhino and they would rather run away than attack.
Unfortunately the horn of the rhinoceros, both white and black, are the reason for their dwindling numbers as the horns are poached to sell as medicine and ornaments to smugglers.
Social Structure and Behavior of White Rhinoceros
The territorial bull will lead a small group of white rhinoceros cows, and sometimes even other bulls through the territory. The territorial male will demarcate the groups' boundaries by defecating in heaps and spraying urine. White rhinoceros are territorial and will seldom venture out of their area.
One calf is born any time of the year after a gestation period of approximately 16 months. A white rhinoceros calf usually walks in front of the mother while grazing. The average expected lifespan of a white rhinoceros is 40 to 45 years.
Lions are the only natural enemy of the white rhinoceros.
What is the Difference Between a White and Black Rhinoceros
- White rhinoceros are grazers and eat grass while black rhinoceros are browsers and eat leaves
- White rhinoceros has flat broad mouths while black rhinoceros has a pointed upper lip to help strip leaves from branches.
- White rhinoceros prefer open savanna and grassland while black rhinoceros prefer areas with shrubs and trees.
- White rhinoceros usually keep their head closer to the ground than black rhinoceros.
- White rhinoceros are slightly heavier built than black rhinoceros.
Clearly, the white rhinoceros deserves its place as part of the big five of Africa.
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