- How many species:
- two (2) subspecies:
- the Southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum)
- and the Northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni).
- Numbers:
- There are less than 20 000 of the southern subspecies left with a conservation status of Near Threatened.
- The northern subspecies is critically endangered, with only 2 females remaining alive.
- Size: NOTE: Diagram of a rhino with pointers
- Can weigh more than 3 500 kg, have a head-and-body length of 3.5 to 4.6 m and a shoulder height of 1.8 to 2 m.
- The biggest white rhinoceros on record was about 4 500 kg.
- Age: White rhino can live up to between 40 and 50 years in the wild.
- Horns:
- White rhino has two horns on its snout.
- The front horn is larger than the other horn and averages between 90 cm and 150 cm.
- Other features:
- Yellowish brown to slate grey in colour.
- Hair on ear fringes and tail bristles.
- Distinctive flat broad mouth used for grazing.
- Bet you didn’t know this!
- An adult white rhino produces up to 50 kg of dung per day!
- Pregnancy lasts 15 to 16 months
- African rhinos have a mutually beneficial relationship with oxpeckers, also called “tick birds”
- White rhino calves walk in front of their mothers.
