There are three species of rhino found in Africa. White rhinos are the second largest land mammal and two genetically different subspecies exist, Northern and Southern white rhino and are found in two different regions of Africa.
Southern White rhinos Ceratotherium simum are classified as ‘Near threatened’, however the Northern White rhino (Ceratotherium simum cottoniis) is classified as ‘Critically Endangered’. White rhinos can be as tall as 6ft and weigh up to 7 tons!
Black rhinos (Diceros bicornis) are the smaller of the two African rhino species and are classified as ‘Critically endangered’. They can grow up to 5.2ft high and weigh up to 1 ton.
Next week on the 22nd September, it is #WorldRhinoDay and what better way to kick start the celebration of the species then by learning about some fascinating facts about the species. How many did you already know?
Rhinos are not black or white, they are in fact all grey
Despite the African species of rhino being named ‘black’ and ‘white’, they are in fact all grey. It is said that the White rhino was given its name from the Afrikaans word ‘wyd’ meaning wide, which is referring to their wide, square lip. This was mistaken by early English explorers who thought they named the species ‘white’. The name stuck with the rhinos, so that is why they are known as the white rhino today and the ‘black’ rhino got its name to differentiate between the two. Black rhinos are identified by their hooked top lip, compared to the white rhino with a wide, square lip.
Black rhinos are browsers, so their hooked lips help them to feed off leaves from bushes and trees. They prefer semi-desert, savannah, woodland, forest and wetland habitats. Whereas, White rhinos are grazers and their square, wide lip helps them to graze of short or long grass in savannah areas of grassland.
Protecting rhinos benefits other species
Rhinos are extremely important for their ecosystem and an important source of income from ecotourism in Africa. Rhinos live in protected areas and this protection extends to all living species in the area, this especially beneficial to elephants.
Rhino horns are made of the same component found in our fingernails
Rhino horns are made up of keratin, this is the same component found in our hair and nails. Rhino horns are also made up of mineral deposits of calcium and melanin inside the core of the horn. According to scientists at Ohio University, the calcium makes the horn stronger and the melanin helps to protect it from the harmful UV rays from the sun. The reason rhino horns tend to grow curved and back towards the head is because the keratin in the front grows quicker than the keratin at the back of the horn. Some rhinos have their horns cut off to protect them against poachers. Even though this is a successful conservation strategy, the horn gradually grows back. Therefore, this isn’t a permanent fix nor an easy task to carry out as it has its risks as the rhino will need to be sedated during the procedure.
Male rhinos are bulls and females are cows
Just like Cattles, male rhinos are called ‘bulls’ and the female rhinos are called ‘cows’. The offspring of rhinos are referred to as ‘calves’.
Black and White, male rhinos are solitary and defend their territories and mark with dung piles. Female black and white rhinos have overlapping home ranges with other female rhinos of their species. White rhinos have complex social structures and groups of up to 14 females and their calves can be formed. The size of female rhino home ranges depends on population density and habitat quality and it can be up to seven times larger than males who are roughly one square-mile. Therefore, female rhinos are not as solitary as they are often portrayed.
Rhinos are related to the domestic horse
Horses, tapirs and rhinos are in the order known as ‘Perissodactyls’. Meaning they have some things in common and share a common ancestor millions of years ago. They are all ungulates that either browse or graze vegetation and all have an off number of toes or hooves on their feet. The middle toe is usually the largest, however in horses the middle toe enlarged (the other toes shrunk) and evolved to form the hoof.
Rhinos have poor eyesight
Rhinos do not have great vision, they are unable to see a person, if they remain very still, up to 30 metres away. The rhinos rely on their other senses, such as their incredible sense of smell to detect threats. .
On average, 2 rhinos are killed daily in Africa
Rhino populations have dramatically dropped due to poaching for their horn which is a prized possession in Asian countries. Other threats include, habitat loss and political conflict. Rhino horn is used in traditional Chinese medicine, even though it serves no medical health benefits. It is also used as a status symbol to display wealth. South Africa is home to the majority of rhinos are is heavily targeted by poachers. Rhinos are either shot and killed for their horn, or even tranquilised by the poacher and the horn is brutally hacked off leaving the rhino to bleed out and eventually die.
Since March 2018, there are now only two remaining Northern White rhinos, both of which are female. They live within the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya and are protected by armed guards around-the-clock.
The Southern White rhino is the only species of rhino (out of a total 5 species) to not be classified as ‘Endangered’. They are now classified as ‘Near threatened’ after a remarkable recovery from the brink of extinction in the late 19th century. It is estimated that their numbers are now 19,600 – 21,000 individuals existing in protected areas or private game reserves.
Black rhinos are classified as critically endangered by the IUCN red list of endangered species with an estimated population around 5,600 individuals. The population took a dramatic decline in the 20th century because of European settlers between 1960-1995. The population dropped by 98% to less than 2,500 Individuals. Thanks to carefully managed conservation strategies, their population has been brought back from the brink of extinction.
Since lockdown, six rhinos in Botswana have been slaughtered for their horns. Due to the halt in tourism in Africa due to the global pandemic, many people in desperation have turned to illegal poaching. Without the added protection of the eyes and ears of tourists, poachers are also benefiting from the crisis.
The threat to rhinos is very real and unless we act now, rhino species are at great risk of extinction.
Please check out our causes that we are raising more to support the incredible work of those rescuing orphaned rhinos and those fighting on the frontline to protect the species. If you would like to consider donating to our causes please click on the ‘DONATE’ button today.
Some of our causes are listed below:
The Little Rhino Orphanage – milk and feed
Noctuam- K9 training and PetEMed
Kruger National Park K9 Centre- PetEMed
Sabi Sands Rangers support- Maintenance equipment
Come back next Friday for more interesting facts, #factfriday !
Further reading
- IUCN Red List of Threatened species
- Save the Rhino – Threats to rhinos
