The Black Rhinoceros or Hook-lipped Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis), is a species of rhinoceros, native to the eastern and central areas of Africa including Kenya, Tanzania, Cameroon, South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Angola. Although the Rhino is referred to as black, it is actually more of a grey/brown/white color in appearance.The name of the species was chosen to distinguish it from the White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum). This is misleading, as those two species are not really distinguishable by color. The word white in the name "White Rhinoceros" is a mistranslation of the Dutch word wijd for wide, referring to its square upper lip, as opposed to the pointed or hooked lip of the Black Rhinoceros. They are now often referred to as the Square-lipped (for White) or Hook-lipped (for Black) Rhinoceros.
Ten Facts about Black Rhinoceros
- Both male and female adults average from 800 to 850 kg, with large adults reaching up to 1000 kg.
- Black Rhinoceros are found in dry arid areas as well as savannah and woodland areas with sufficient shrubs and trees to hide in, in the heat of the day.
- Black rhino are browsers, feeding off a wide variety of shrubs and trees. Toxic plants such as the Tamboti Spirostachys africana with its high latex content are also eaten, having no harmful effects on the animal.
- Breeding takes place at any time of the year. The female can conceive her first calf at 7 to 8 years of age.
- After a successful copulation, the female has a gestation period of 15 months and gives birth to a calf weighing in at about 40 kg.
- The calf suckles off the mother for 12 - 13 months and is fully weaned at 14 months. When the cow is ready to give birth to her next calf, she then chases the older calf away to be on its own or temporarily join up with other adults or youngsters in the area. The calf is usually chased away at 2 to 4 years of age.
- Mostly Black Rhinoceros lives about 40 years.
- An adult Black Rhinoceros stands 140-170 cm (55-67 in) high at the shoulder and is 3.3-3.6 m (11-12 ft) in length. The longest known horn measured nearly 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in length.
- There home ranges around 43 to 133 kmē
- About 50% of males and 30% of females die from combat-related injuries.
