Black Rhinoceros

scientific name

Diceros bicornis

size

Length. 10'
Weight. maximum 3000 lbs.

characteristics

Adaptations/Coloration: skin dull-dark gray
Appearance. color of soil due to fondness for mud & dust baths
Eyesight. poor
Foot. 3 toes
Forage. browser " uses prehensile upper lip " must drink daily " hindgut fermentation allows high fiber diet
Hearing. keen
Horn. most conspicuous " 2 horns " longest horn in front " dense aggregation of keratin fibers (human fingernail)
Leg. short " stout " capable of charge 30 mph maximum
Smell. keen " primary method of detecting danger
Teeth. none in front

behavior

solitary
Bath: love mud & dust baths " provides cooling & protection from biting insects
Movement. morning & evening " midday rest & sleep " reputation of unprovoked aggression & sudden intruder charging

reproduction/life span

Sexual Maturity. male 7-8 yrs. (dominant status 10 yrs.) " female 5-7 yrs.
Courtship. male trumpets when female in heat
Birth Interval. 2-4 yrs.
Gestation. 15 mos.
Young. 1 " ~88 lbs.
Parenting. strong bond between mother & most recent young " young stay with mother for 2 yrs. in wild

diet

Herbivore
Wild. plant foliage
Zoo. alfalfa, carrots, lettuce, apples, hoof-stock pellets, vitamin supplements, & leaves & twigs from zoo keepers (run excitedly around enclosure when they see zoo keeper with choice "tidbits")

habitat/range

savanna " forest " Cape to Somalia

status

US Endangered " CITES App I " SSP participant " considered by many to be worlds most endangered mammal " greatest threat is poaching for horn " 1970 65,000 " currently ~3500 " India, China, & Far East horn used in folk medicine as cure for headaches & fever & as aphrodisiac " can bring $24,000/ea. in Far East " in North Yemen horn used as dagger handles - sign of status among men " White Rhino more abundant than Black Rhino

other

5 species worldwide:
Africa
Black 2 horns " longest horn in front " prehensile lip for browsing
White 2 horns " longest horn in front " broad lips for grazing
Asia
Sumatran 2 horns " longest horn in back " hairy
Indian 1 horn " heavy folds of skin give armored appearance
Javan 1 horn " heavy folds of skin " much smaller than Indian rhino

oregon zoo exhibit

Africa Savanna