White Rhinoceros
Two subspecies at opposite ends of the survival scale
Common Name: White rhinoceros, square-lipped rhinoceros; Rhinocéros blanc(Fr); Rinoceronte(Sp)
Scientific Name: Ceratotherium simum
Habitat: Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas and Shrublands
Location: Central and Southern Africa
Population: Around 14,538
Background
© WWF Canon / Kes and Fraser SMITH
Two living subspecies of white rhino are recognised: the northern white rhino, and the southern white rhino. Recent studies have confirmed that the two subspecies are genetically distinct.
Only 4 northern white rhinos remain, all of them in the Garamba National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo. Efforts to protect them have been severely disrupted because of the ongoing civil war and incursions by poachers coming mainly from Sudan. Thanks to the dedication of park staff through years of armed conflict in the region, this Critically Endangered subspecies still survives, but for how much longer?
In contrast, the southern white rhino is one of conservation's greatest success stories. Thought to be extinct in the late 19th century, in 1895 a small population of less than 100 was discovered in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. After more than a century of protection and management, southern white rhinos are now the only non-endangered rhinos, being classified as Near Threatened.
Physical Description
White rhinos have almost no hair. They are larger than the black rhino, and have a squared (not pointed) upper lip, a longer skull and less sharply defined forehead, and a more pronounced shoulder hump. White rhinos have two horns, the front one averaging 60 cm long, but occasionally reaching 150 cm. The species name actually takes its root from Dutch, "weit" (wide), in reference to the animal's wide muzzle.
The white rhino tends to avoid the heat during the day, during which it rests in the shade. It is therefore usually active early mornings, late afternoon and during the evening.
During peaks of heat, the rhino cools and rids itself of ectoparasites (external parasites) by bathing in mud in shallow pools. Adult males can spend almost their entire life in these areas, unless water is unavailable, in which case they follow a narrow corridor to a drinking site every 3-4 days.
Size
The white rhino weighs 150-85 cm at the shoulder. Females weigh about 1,400-1,700 kg and males 2,000-3,600 kg.
Colour
White rhinos are slaty grey to yellowish brown in colour.
Habitat
Major habitat type
Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas and Shrublands
Biogeographic realm
Afrotropical
Range States
Botswana (re-introduced), Cote d’Ivoire (introduced), Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya (introduced), Namibia (re-introduced), South Africa, Swaziland (re-introduced), Zambia (introduced), Zimbabwe (re-introduced)
Geographical Location
Central and Southern Africa
Ecological Region
Namib-Karoo-Kaokoveld Deserts, Southern Rift Montane Woodlands, Central and Eastern Miombo Woodlands
