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.