Facts About the Black Rhinos : The terrible scourge of rhino poaching has done inestimable harm to one of the most unique animal species on the planet. Though there are five rhino species in the world, currently only about 27,000 of them remain alive. Africa has/had four subspecies of these iconic creatures, though the western black rhino was declared extinct in 2011. Let’s take a closer look at one of these intriguing heavy-weight species of the bush, namely the black rhino, scientifically referred to as Diceros bicornis.
1. How Black Rhinos Differ from White Rhinos
Particularly in regard to size and behavior, black rhinos differ significantly from white rhinos. Despite being smaller than white rhinos, black rhinos can nevertheless weigh an astonishing 1,350 kg/2,900 lbs for males and up to 900 kg/1,980 lbs for females. Black rhinos are about 1.6 m (just over 5 feet) tall at the shoulder, and babies can weigh up to 45 kg/99 lbs at birth. They can grow up to 3.5 meters, or more than 11.5 feet, in length. Compared to their more peaceful white rhino counterparts, black rhinos are much more aggressive and are more likely to charge at imagined dangers. Because of this, they are a really exciting possibility to come upon in the bush. However, in terms of color, black and white rhinos are identical they are both grey.
2. They Have a Distinctive ‘Hooked’ Upper Lip
The black rhino’s sharp, slightly extended upper lip is one of its most distinguishing characteristics. White rhinos’ lips are squarer and noticeably broader. These distinctions explain why white rhinos are grazers and black rhinos are browsers. This indicates that black rhinos typically consume leaves from low-growing trees, bushes, and thickets rather than grass. They can easily remove leaves, twigs, shoots, fruit, seedpods, berries, and flowers from trees and bushes thanks to their powerful, prehensile upper lip.
Black rhinos can consume up to 30 kilogram of plant matter and excrete up to 20 kg of feces daily. They are keystone species that disperse seeds and nutrients and modify their surroundings. Their practice of wallowing in mud spreads nutrient-rich soil and keeps water holes open. Due to the fact that black rhinos are among the most popular species to visit on safari tours, ecotourism helps the local economy.
3. They’re Solitary Creatures
In contrast to white rhinos, which are typically more gregarious, black rhinos are typically lonely. Usually, they roam alone or with their calves, whom their moms fiercely guard. In pursuit of water and food, black rhinos traverse large areas of land, marking their territories with pee sprays and dung mounds known as middens. Although this can vary according on the ecosystem, they are very territorial and will defend their areas. Other than mating and raising their young, which are exclusively done by the females, black rhinos rarely engage socially with other rhinos.
4. They’re Vocal Creatures
Surprisingly, black rhinos can make a wide range of noises to communicate. Squeaking, grunting, roaring (believed to mark territory), puffing, snorting, breathing calls, screeching, shouting, and even mooing are some examples of these vocalizations, which have a variety of uses. They even make resonant, deep sounds that are believed to be a sign of relaxation. These vocalizations are essential to rhino communication because they provide information about their feelings, status, and desired behaviors. They can warn other rhinos of danger by using their vocalizations. In addition, they are a crucial means of communication between a calf and its mother and a mechanism for a mother to summon her calf.
5. They’re Surprisingly Speedy
Despite their size and ungainly appearance, black rhinos are capable of putting on an absolutely amazing show of speed! They are among the fastest terrestrial mammals in the world, with a peak speed of about 55 kilometers (34 miles) per hour. Their ability to move quickly is crucial to their existence because it enables them to avoid predators. Additionally, their exceptional agility helps them navigate and maneuver through a variety of environments and terrains.
6. They are Critically Endangered.
Once found throughout Africa, black rhino numbers have crashed so that they currently stand on the brink of extinction. Due to poaching and hunting, just an estimated 6,000 black rhinos remain in isolated areas of Africa today, compared to an estimated 850,000 in the early 1900s.
