Ever wondered what the difference is between a Black Rhino and White Rhino?  To some people, and I know quite a few of them, a rhino is simply a rhino! Well, let me help by mentioning a few difference between the two rhinos, the most common one lies in the neck and the shape of their mouths. The White Rhino has a broad, flat lip for grazing, sometimes referred to as the “square-lipped” rhino, and the head cannot be lifted above the back. The Black Rhino on the other hand has a long, pointed, hooked, upper lip,  sometimes referred to the “hooked-lipped” rhino, and the head can be lifted above the back for browsing. A black rhino is approximately 40% smaller than a white rhino and has a shorter head. The white rhino is larger in body size having a longer head, wider and longer body and a fully grown adult can obtain a shoulder height of 1,8m (6ft) whereas the black rhino can grow to a shoulder height of around 1,5m (5ft)

Did you know that a rhino’s horn consists of a compact mass of tubular keratin fibres, very much like our finger nails, growing directly from the skin. A white rhino is a grazer of short to medium grass whereas the black rhino will consume leaves, branches, shoots, berries, pods, succulents and to a lesser degree medium to tall grass as part of their diet and for this reason they require the mouth parts as described in the aforementioned paragraph.

White Rhino spoor……

Our safari business is named “Sukulu” meaning Black Rhino in the African Tembo language !

Another interesting comparison between the two species is that the calf of the white rhino tends to walk in front of the mother whereas the calf of the black rhino normally follows behind her.

Also and according to variuos sourses, a Black Rhino can attain an age of around 35-40 years. Black rhino are solitary except for cows. Bulls are generally aggressive towards each other as well as towards calves. Black rhino cows become sexually mature at around 4-5 years whereas the bulls attain their sexual maturity age at between 7-8 years. Dominant bulls frequenlty test the acceptance of the females and a dominant bulls will mate with up to 3 females. During this time the bull scrapes and scatters the cow’s dung when she defecates in order to prevent other bulls detecting her scent trail. At birth the calf is hidden for 3 days and then follows her mother. The calf is weaned at about 2 years of age and stays with the mother until the birth of the next calf.

Bulls become territorial at an age of nine years and defend their territories aggressively. Marking is by means of urine squirting , scraping the soil with the horn and dragging the hind feet for distances of up to 10 m  along pathways. Dung middens and rubbing posts also act as markers within their territory. The black rhino is generally referred to as being ”grumpy, moody and short-tempered” and quite a few field rangers can attest to that.

Compiled by SukuluSafaris CC information centre