Black Rhino
Diceros Bicornis, The Endangered Rhino
Characteristics
The Black Rhino is one of the most interesting animals in the world, they are known by being hunted for their horns. They are :
- 4.5-6 ft. at shoulder height
- 1,760-3,080 lbs
- Herbivores
- Actually grey, not black color
- Different from white rhinos by lip shape, the Black Rhino has a pointed upper lip and White Rhinos have squared lips.
- The lips help grab bunches of leaves
- Wallowers (Animals that roll in mud)
Habitat
The Black Rhinos live in the grasslands, savannas and tropical bush lands of Kenya, South Africa and many other countries. The weather in the savanna is very hot and wet when the moist air moves in from the equator, but after there is a cooler, dryer season that comes in that can last up to 8 months. They prefer to live in land that provide thick and wooded vegetation. The Rhinos feed at night, therefore during the day, when it is hot, they take cover in shade under the tall grasslands of the savanna. They usually find a water hole during the day to roll in mud which coats their skin with bug repellent and sun block. Most Black Rhinos live in Africa, but of course there are many transferred around the world for zoo's and such.
Interactions in the Community
The Black Rhino is a herbivore, therefore it eats plants and shrubs. They may attack other attackers using their horns but do not eat them. They have a mutualistic relationship with the Oxpecker, which sit on the rhino, eat ticks, blood sores and even warn the rhino when it is in danger, despite the Rhino being a solitary animal. Due to the Rhino's giant size, the only predator it has are big cats such as lions that prey on them in packs or attack the Rhino's calves.
Extinction
The Black Rhino's are currently critically endangered. That is due to these main reasons:
- Poaching, the horns of the Rhino are needed
- China uses the horns as medicine
- Smuggling, the horns are used to make daggers in Yemen
Bibliography
- "Animal Diversity Web." ADW: Diceros Bicornis: INFORMATION. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2013. <http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Diceros_bicornis/>.
- "Black Rhinoceros." National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2013. <http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/black-rhinoceros/>.
- "Black Rhino Information." Black Rhino Factfile. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2013. <http://www.savetherhino.org/rhino_info/species_of_rhino/black_rhinos/black_rhino_factfile>.
- "Black Rhinoceros." WWF. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2013. <http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/rhinoceros/african_rhinos/black_rhinoceros/>.