What kind of animal is the white rhino? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. The white rhino is a subspecies of rhino found in Africa, and as its name suggests, it is characterized by its relatively white body. Unfortunately, the white rhino is also on the brink of extinction and is in a very dangerous situation.
What is a White Rhino? Basic Stats
White rhinos are mammals of the order Perissodactyla and family Rhinidae. Their English name is White Rhinoceros/Square-Lipped Rhinoceros, and their scientific name is Ceratotherium simum. They are 3.5-4.2m long, 50-70cm long tails, and weigh 1,500-3,600kg. Most of them live in Africa and South Asia. They are large animals and are currently active in Africa. They are a very common animal, appearing in animal horoscopes and illustrations, and are said to be auspicious animals.
| Japanese（和名） | シロサイ |
| English（英名） | White Rhinoceros / Square-Lipped Rhinoceros |
| scientific name(学名) | Ceratotherium simum |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、 Perissodactyla、Rhinocerotidae 哺乳綱、奇蹄目、サイ科 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | ENDANGERED |
| Length（体長） | 3.5～4.2m |
| Weight（体重） | 1,500～3,600kg |
Rhino habitat
Rhinoceroses are found in the eastern and southern parts of the African continent (Uganda, Eswatini, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, South Sudan, and are considered extinct in Chad and the Central African Republic.
What are its characteristics? What kind of creature is it?
The white rhino is the largest of the rhinos and is covered with thick, hard skin like armor. It has no hair on its body, but there is a little hair at the end of its short tail. Its body color is gray or brown, and it often plays in the mud. Rhinos have one or two thick horns on their heads, and the shortest can be 25 cm long, while the longest can be 1.5 m long. They usually live alone and live in savannas, forests, grasslands, bushlands, and wetlands.
What is their personality like?
Compared to black rhinos, white rhinos are more docile and have a gentle personality. White rhinos live in open grasslands and shrublands, and occasionally form groups of 10 to 20. They tend to live in a fixed range of 0.75 to 8 km2.
What is the ecology of rhinos?
Rhinos are herbivores, living by eating grass, leaves, fruits, etc. Breeding occurs all year round, with a lactation period of about a year and a gestation period of another year. Females can give birth to one baby at a time. Females reach sexual maturity at 6-7 years, and males at 10-12 years. They are said to live for about 45-50 years.
Do rhinos have any natural enemies?
Rhinos are powerful animals, so they have no natural enemies. However, small or sickly rhinos are targeted by predators such as lions and leopards. Rhinos can run away at speeds of about 30km per hour, so they are not easy to catch.
Are rhinos endangered?
As explained above, most subspecies of rhinos are designated as endangered. They are also listed in the Washington Convention, and trade is classified and severely restricted. The reasons for this are as follows. They are in a critical situation.
Illegal hunting
Rhinos are protected internationally, but illegal hunting for their horns continues in Asia and Africa. This has prevented the population from recovering at all. Rhinos horns are traded at higher prices than cocaine, heroin, and gold, making them profitable.
Habitat destruction
Habitat destruction is also a problem. Rapid land development is progressing especially in Southeast Asia, making the environment very harsh. They are now protected in limited zoos and national parks. Events for conservation are also held around the world.
Can rhinos be kept as pets?
Rhinos are large animals, and there are many restrictions as they are designated as endangered, so they are not very suitable for keeping. They need protection more than other animals, so immediate action is needed. It is safe to see the actual rhinos on site. At the zoo, male and female Southern White Rhinos are on display, and you can check the park map at the top of the site. Once you enter the zoo, there are times when you can interact with the animals, so you can access the facility by bus or train and enjoy the dogs and cats.
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