White Rhinoceros

Range:
Divided into two subspecies. Northern subspecies is restricted in the wild to Garamba National Park in Zaire. Southern subspecies located in several nations in southern Africa, primarily South Africa.

Habitat:
Savannahs and grasslands

Size:
Length:13-17 ft; Height: 5-7 ft; weight: 2.9-4 tons

Young:
1

Gestation:
17-18 months

Diet (wild):
Grazer: short turf grasses and low shrubs of the savannah.

Diet (zoo):
Alfalfa hay, oats, vitamin and mineral supplements.

Lifespan (wild):
25-30 years

Status:
Northern population: critically endangered (IUCN Red List and USFWS) Appendix 1 species (CITES).
Southern population: near threatened by IUCN

Threats:
Poaching, habitat destruction, recent droughts.

Anatomy/Physiology:
The third largest land animal. Massive creature with barrel shaped body supported by pillar like legs and three toed hooves. They have thick skin ranging in color from slate gray to yellow-brown. Large head with low set eyes, prominent mobile ears, wide square mouth, and two keratin horns on snout.

Social/Family units:
Aggregate into small family group in loosely defined territories. Adult males are territorial and essentially solitary.

Habits:
Often cover themselves in a layer of mud that acts as both a bug repellant and sun block.

Communication:
There is a common contact call among groups and between mothers and offspring.

Defensive/Aggressive behavior:
Usually a sociable, placid, even-tempered animal. They rarely charge, but may fight during mating season. Aggression is manly by territorial males. They assume an erect posture with head raised and ears cocked and may simply stare or behave aggressively depending upon the intruder.

Predators:
Generally no predators due to massive size, however young may be preyed upon by large carnivores.

Locomotion:
A high step trot is normally the fastest gate at 18 mph. This can be sustained for 2 miles. They have the ability to gallop 25 mph.

Activity:
Mostly diurnal. ½ day feeding, 1/3 day resting, remainder spent walking standing alert, wallowing, drinking, and socializing.

Interesting story/facts:
Name White Rhinoceros is derived from the Africaans word weit, used to describe its wide mouth.