Page 95 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

FIELD GUIDE  93

Feeding KEY FACTS
The black rhino is a dedicated Diceros bicornis
browser, utilizing the leaves, (black); Caratotherium
branches and fruits of at least
200 plant species, while the white Simum (white)
rhino subsists mainly as a grazer. Local names: Tshukudu
This dietary distinction is also (Sotho), Ubhejane (Zulu),
accountable for the Renoster (Afrikaans)
misleading names Size Shoulder height: 1.4–
of black and 1.8 m (4½–6 ft) (black), 1.7–
white rhinos, Black rhino plucking twigs with 1.85 m (5½–6 ft) (white).
both of its prehensile upper lip Weight: up to 1,400 kg
which are a (3,086 lb) (black); up to
similar shade of grey in colour. The 3,600 kg (7,937 lb) (white).
original Dutch name weit (wide) was an
allusion to the square grass-cropping Lifespan 40–45 years.
mouth of the white rhino, but was later Population in South Africa
mistranslated to “white”, leaving the 2,000 (black), 16,500 (white).
black rhino to be named by default. Conservation status CE
Rhinos feed mostly in the early morning (black), VU (white).
and late afternoon, ideally retiring to a Gestation Period
wallow or waterhole at midday, though the 16 months.
black rhino can go almost a week without Reproduction Females
mature sexually at 5 years
drinking water if need be. and give birth to a calf
every 3–4 years.
Habitat Dense woodland,
thicket (black); open
woodland, grassland (white).
Top Places to See
Communication and Voice Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, Kruger,
Vocalizations, though complex and varied, are seldom Pilanesberg, Ithala.
Adult rhinos are essentially solitary creatures, observed during a casual rhino encounter. When two
though not especially territorial. Both sexes are individuals meet, they may growl or trumpet to signal Sighting Tips
aggressive towards unfamiliar individuals but aggression, but will more likely snort in amicable greeting. Mud wal lows are good
equable towards rhinos with neighbouring or Rhinos give a high-pitched alarm call when moderately places to spot these
elusive animals.
over-lapping territories, sometimes even pairing off threatened, and emit a loud, pig-
temporarily. The bond between mother and calf, like squeal when seriously alarmed. Friends and Foes
however, is more enduring. Courtship between rhinos Indirect communication between A fully-grown rhino has
is a protracted affair. In the case of the black rhino, the neigh bours includes the sharing of little to fear from predators,
female scrapes her territorial dung piles vigorously, and common dung heaps at water holes but can be chased away
the first male to pick up the scent trails behind her, trying and feeding places, which allows by elephants.
every individual to know which
to cover it up with his own faeces. Prior to mating, the other rhinos have passed by
pair often indulge in noisy mock-sparring. Once the male recently. In contrast to its acute Facts and Trivia
The decline in Africa’s
is accepted, the two stay together for days or even sense of smell, it has poor sight: rhinos is mainly due to the
weeks. A single calf weighing up to 50 kg (110 lb) is born black rhinos have a focal range of The awesome sight of two adult mistaken belief that the horn
15–16 months later, and is fully mobile within days. less than 10 m (33 ft). males locking horns in combat has aphrodisiacal qualities.

Individual rhinos return
Rhinos are solitary creatures A black rhino might charge at the daily to favoured rubbing
and seldom interact with each slightest provocation, and can quickly posts, gradually polishing
other or with different species. reach an alarming 55 kmph (34 mph). the top smooth.

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