Diceros bicornis

Description

One of the largest land mammals, the black rhino grows to more than 9 feet in length and over 5 feet high at the shoulder, and may weigh up to 3,000 pounds.

Despite its name, the black rhino is actually more gray in color than black. It has two horns made up of densely-packed hair fibers, the front one of which may be 2 to 5 feet long. The upper lip is pointed and prehensile, which is what distinguishes the black rhinoceros from the white rhinoceros, which has a squared upper lip.

Distribution and Habitat

Once common throughout much of Africa south of the Sahara, the black rhinoceros is now restricted to reserves in Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Zambia, and South Africa. They are usually found in the transitional zone between forest and grassland, so long as there is plenty of available water.

Reproduction

Breeding takes place throughout the year. A single calf is born after a gestation period of 419-478 days. The calf is weaned after 2 years and is independent at about 3 years. The female will generally not breed again until her calf has become independent. Females are sexually mature at 4 to 6 years, males at 7 to 9 years.

Diet

The black rhino uses its prehensile upper lip to browse on the leaves and twigs of a variety of woody plants and herbs. Feeding usually takes place during the cooler hours of dawn and dusk.

Other Habits and Behaviors

Rhinos spend most of their day resting in the shade or wallowing in shallow water holes. The water helps the animals stay cool, and the mud helps protect them againt biting flies.

Rhinos are extremely unpredictable and quite dangerous. They have poor eyesight but an excellent sense of smell, and will charge humans, vehicles and campsites if they detect human scent. Most charges are bluffs, but a rhinoceros can do serious damage with its horns. Interestingly enough, rhinos tend to be far more aggressive towards other animals than to other members of their species. Although males will occasionally fight by pushing head to head or horn jousting, they usually go out of their way to avoid each other instead.

Although it looks large and ungainly, a rhinoceros can run on its toes at speeds up to 35 miles per hour.

Rhinos are generally solitary, but females will occasionally form into small groups led by a single male. Individuals occupy overlapping home ranges, but they are not very territorial.

Conservation Status

The black rhinoceros has been hunted to near extinction in order to obtain the horn, which is used for ornamental dagger handles and as a traditional medicine in some countries. It is estimated that 90% of adult rhino deaths are due to poaching to obtain the horn.

Scientific Classification

phylum Chordata
subphylum Vertebrata
class Mammalia
order Perissodactyla
family Rhinocerotidae
genus & species Diceros bicornis

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