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Rhinoceros, Northern White
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Genus
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Ceratotherium
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Species
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simum
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Subspecies
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cottoni
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Status
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Endangered
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Number Left
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5,000
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Habitat
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Grasslands
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Distribution
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Zaire, Sudan, Uganda, Central African Republic
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Height
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63-73 inches (160-185 cm)
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Length
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145-160 inches (368-406 cm)
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Weight
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Up to 3 tons (2722 kg)
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Behavior
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White rhinos live in herds of five to ten individuals. The herd is usually made up of mothers and their female calves. In the wild, the rhino's only natural enemies are lions and hyenas. A rhinoceros can turn its ears to hear sounds from any direction.
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Diet
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Grass
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Feeding
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Rhinos are grazers. Their mouths are long, square, and look like the mouths of cows, which allow them to bite off big bunches of grass all at once.
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Breeding
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After the baby rhino, or calf, is born, it stays with its mother for about four years. If the calf is a male, it will eventually leave or be chased away by its mother. If it is female, it may stay with its mother's herd until the mother gives birth to another calf. The female calf will then live nearby on its own but still remain part of the herd.
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Gestation
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16 months
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Conservation
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The rhinoceros population has dropped by 85% in the last 25 years. Only five species of rhinoceros remain in the world, and all are endangered. The white rhino is the largest of these rhinoceros species, as well as the most numerous. About 5,000 of these large animals live in the wildlife reserves of South Africa and Zimbabwe. The white rhino has very little defense against people. Many poachers hunt them illegally for their horns, which can sell for as much as $40,000. The horns are sought after for medicinal purposes and dagger handles. This kind of dagger, called a jambia, is the national symbol of the country of North Yemen, and given to every young man when he reaches manhood. It is now against the law to bring rhino horns into North Yemen, but some people still practice this sacred tradition. Many countries provide armed guards to protect the remaining white rhinos, extreme measures that have so far saved the animal from extinction.
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Interesting Facts
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Rhino horns are not made of ivory but keratin, a tissue found in our own fingernails and hair. The white rhino has a keen sense of smell and hearing, but it cannot see very well.
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Images and Video Clips
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Animal Communication Panel
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