Africa's endangered animals
The Black Rhino
Photo Credits: Justin Beckley
Description
- Black rhino is a browser
- Has yellow/brown to dark brown/grey skin.
- Weighs 800-1400 kg (1700-3080 lbs)
- 1.3-1.8m (4'3- 5'9)
Photo Credit: Steve Harris
Food
- Eats leaves, twigs, branches, woody shrubs, trees (palatable herbs and legumes)
- Drinks water daily
- Finds food in herbs, trees, and small acacia
- Herbivore
- Has no prey
- Humans are its predator
Photo Credit: Sara & Joachim
Habitat
- Found in South Africa, Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany, Cape Floristic Region, Succulent Karoo, and Coastal Forest or Eastern Africa
- Grasslands - extensive areas of short woody growth
- Deserts
- Lives in temperate/warm areas
- Sleeps/lives anywhere - can sleep while standing or laying
Photo Credit: Stuart Barr
Adaptation
- Poor eyesight, but good hearing
- Charges at any disturbing sound or smell
- Normal movement speed: 3 - 4 kph
- Charging rate: 50 kph (31 kph)
- Male stay alone
- Female stay in packs with younger rhinos
- Mostly active at night - eating, drinking, walking
Black rhino eats poisonous euphorbia
Video credit: Sabi Sabi via Youtube
Endangerment and Coservation Effort
- The black rhino is endangered because many countries hunt black rhino's for its horn; the horn is used for jewelery
- The black rhino will be taken off The Big Five, if no action is done