White Rhino

STATS
Order Perissodactyla
Family Rhinocerotidae
Genus Ceratotherium
Species Simum
 
Height 1.5-18 metres
Weight 2100 kgs average
Lifespan 40 years approx
Habitat Savannahs and wooded areas

 




Subspecies
Southern White Rhinocerous (C.s. simum)
Northern White Rhinocerous (C.s. cottoni)

Rhinos are the second largest land animal. White rhinos are the largest of the five species. Their name has nothing to do with their colour but actually comes from the Afrikaans word “weit” meaning “wide” which refers to the animals mouth.

White Rhinos have two horns with the front one being large. Their horns are made up of keratin, the same protein material which makes up a humans finger-nails. Because of their horns rhinos are at great risk from poachers.

They inhabit the dry bushy savannahs of South and North East Africa, feeding on grasses using their wide mouths to graze. They are dependant on water but if need by can go several days without it.

The four other species of rhino are the Black Rhino (Diceros bicornis), Indian Rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis), Javan Rhino (Rhinoceros Sondaicus) and Sumatran Rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis).

For more on Rhinos visit our Endangered Species section.


White rhinos lips are about 20cms wide.

Rhinos have poor vision but good hearing and sense of smell.

They trot at about 15mph but can run up to 25mph.

Their feet are about 12 inches wide.

White rhinos are the most sociable out of all the species.


 

BOOKS ON RHINOS Amazon.co.uk
 

Horn of Darkness : Rhinos on the Edge

Author: Carol Cunningham, Joel Berger
Paperback - 256 pages (February 2000)
Oxford University Press; ISBN: 0195138805

Buy

Rhinos (Johnston, Marianne. Giant Animals Series.)

Author: Marianne Johnston
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Library Binding (August 1998)
Powerkids Pr; ISBN: 0823951448

Buy

The Rhinoceros (Endangered Animals & Habitats)

Author: Mary Hull
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover (January 1997)
Lucent Books; ISBN: 1560064617

Buy

Mission Rhino

Author: Jill Bailey, Alan Baker (Illustrator)
A series that looks at some of the world's threatened animal species - the problems of survival for the animals themselves, the reasons behind their decline and the efforts being made to ensure their survival - told through the eyes of the poacher, warden and naturalist. In this volume, the story fo the black rhino is told through the eyes of three people: Joshua, a 12 year old son of a hunter; David, a Zimbabwean ranger whose job it is to track down poachers and relocate endangered rhinos to safer reserves; and Kurt, a German zoologist studying rhinos.
Buy

 


 



Copyright 2010 © Safaripark.co.uk - All rights reserved



Hosted by recMedia
Visit www.castlewales.com for Castles in Wales

   

Safari & Wildlife Parks Latest Updates Buy books African safaris Safari fun! Endangered Species info Animal photos Animal info & facts Safari & Wildlife Parks Home Special Offers! Win Win Win! Adopt an animal Website links Contact Safaripark.co.uk