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February 15, 2006

African Field Notes: The Rhinoceros

There are two kinds of rhinos in South Africa – the black and the white. Both have two horns, unlike the Asian rhinos.

Rhinos have poor eyesight and excellent hearing. Because they are very nearsighted, they often charge when they are startled – at speeds up to 40mph. This has given them an undeserved reputation for having a bad temper.

Rhinos have a fondness for rolling in the mud, and scientists believe that this helps them stay protected from the sun.

African rhinos cannot swim like their Indian counterparts.

There are several ways to tell the difference between a black and white rhino: the wide mouth of the white rhino is perfect for grazing on grasses, while the more narrow, pointed lip of the black rhino is great for pulling leaves and shrubs into its mouth. Black rhinos have various habitats, but mainly areas with dense, woody vegetation. White rhinos live in savannas with water holes, mud wallows and shade trees.

Rhinos communicate using dung-heaps called middens, where they leave messages for other rhinos.

Latin Family: Rhinocerotidae
A Group Is Called: A Crash (More At: Critter Collectives)

Check out our Safari South Africa podcast - an audio program and a video that features this animal!

Posted by sorsha at February 15, 2006 9:38 PM