White Rhino
White Rhinos are divided into two distinct subspecies: The Northern White Rhino and the Southern White Rhino. The Southern White Rhino is the least endangered of the living kinds of rhino, with a population of about 17,500. This species is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Unfortunately, the Northern White Rhino is feared extinct in the wild, as reported on June 17, 2008. There are only eight known Northern White Rhinos in the world.
White Rhino Fact Sheet - Download pdf
Northern White Rhinos: New Hope?
On June 17, 2008, the last four Northern White Rhinos remaining in the wild were feared to have been killed for their horns by poachers. However, December 2009 brought new hope to the Northern white rhino.
Visit the Northern White Rhino page to learn more about the celebrated new plan to bring these precious rhinos back from the very edge of extinction!
Southern White Rhino
The Southern White Rhino was considered extinct (due to poaching) until 1895, when a small population of less than 100 individuals was discovered in South Africa. Thanks to a century of conservation efforts, researchers and concerned individuals (especially in South Africa) the Southern White Rhinos population has recovered to appoximately 17,500.
White Rhinos are confined to private ranches and heavily protected areas; however, poaching remains a threat.
July 28, 2009: Celebrity Rhino Toliwe Found Murdered by Poachers
Nearly all of them are located in South Africa. The WWF also reports that small populations have been re-introduced to Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Zambia, and Cote d'Ivoire. Recently, a Southern white rhino was born in Uganda!
July 29, 2009: First Southern white rhino born in Uganda after 28 years of regional extinction!
Read more articles about White Rhinos.
Distinguishing Characteristics
The White Rhino has two horns comprised of compressed keratin - basically hair and fingernail material. The Northern White Rhino's front horn is generally 37" - 40" long, while the Southern White Rhino's can reach 79". The rear horn of both subspecies is smaller, reaching 22" in length.
The White Rhino is actually not white in color; the name is thought to be a result of mistaking the Afrikaans word "weit" (meaning "wide") for "white." The White Rhino is grey, although he or she often looks brown due to being covered in mud after wallowing.
The White Rhino is most readily identified by its square lip, and is also known as the Square-Lipped Rhinoceros. The square lip is used for grazing on grasses. While looking at the rhino's head, you will see eyelashes and a little bit of hair on the ears. The other area where the White Rhino has hair is the tip of the tail.
Like all rhinos, the White Rhino is an odd-toed ungulate, having three toes - each with a sturdy hoof-like nail. Also in common with other rhinos is a superb sense of hearing, keen sense of smell - but relatively poor eyesight.
Size of the White Rhino
The White Rhino, along with the roughly equal-sized Indian Rhino, is the largest species of land mammal after the elephant.
The White Rhino's weight ranges from 4,000 - 6,000 pounds, and stands from 5 - 6 feet high at the shoulder. End-to-end, the White Rhino can be 12.5 - 15 feet in length.
Activity
Despite their large size, the White Rhino can run 30 mph for short distances.
White Rhinos eat and drink both during the day and at night, spending the hotter part of the day sleeping in the shade or enjoying a good wallow.
Life span
White Rhinos can live up to 50 years.
Scientific Name and Origin
- Ceratotherium simum
- Ceratotherium: from the Greek cerato, meaning "horn" and therium, meaning "wild beast"
- simum: from the Greek simus, meaning "flat nosed"
Species information compiled from WWF, International Rhino Foundation and Save the Rhino International.
