White Rhinos
By Rosalili
Introduction
The Ceratotherium Simum Simum, cerato meaning horn, thorium meaning wild beast and simus meaning flat nosed, has two kind of species the Southern Ceratotherium Simum Simum and the Northern Ceratotherium Simum Simum. The southern has over 20400 left in the world!
But only 4 northern white rhinos live in the wild.
Description
Did you know that White Rhinos are actually grey? Weird! White Rhinos also have two horns which can grow as much as three inches (eight centimeters) a year, and have been known to grow up to five feet (1.5 meters) long,They have a huge body, a large head and a broad chest. On the back of their neck they have a large hump and they have short, legs with three toes on each foot. Females use their horns to protect their young, while males use them to battle attackers. The White Rhino has a square shaped lip. The White Rhino's lip is different to the Black Rhino (the Black Rhino has a pointed upper lip) because of their diets which will be discussed in the next paragraph...
Diet
While the black rhino uses its pointed upper lip to pluck leaves and fruit off trees, the White Rhino uses its square lip to cut and eat grass. They will drink twice a day if water is available, but if it isn't they are able to go for 4 - 5 days without drinking! How cool is That!
Habitat
The White Rhinoceros is found on grasslands and savannahs of Africa. Scrapes on the ground marks the territory of white rhinos.
Breeding
The White Rhinoceros will give birth to one calf after 16 - 18 months. Females reproduce only every 2-5 years. Their one calf does not live on its own until it is about three years old. Females reach maturity at 4-5 years of age whereas the male reaches maturity at 10-12 years. White Rhinos can live up to 20 years.
Threats
Rhinos everywhere are being hunted
Poachers are cruel rhino killing creatures who kill rhinos savagely for sport help stop this horrible act.
Poachers are cruel rhino killing creatures who kill rhinos savagely for sport help stop this horrible act.