top of page

White Rhino

Ceratotherium simum

​

The White Rhinoceros is a herbivorous grazer that belongs to the order of the Perissodactyla and is the second most massive remaining land animal in the world. It’s one of the two species of Rhinos native to Africa. Its current range is primarily Southern Africa. There are about 14,500 to 20,000 White Rhino still left in the wild, and their survival today portraits a conservation success story as their numbers were less than 100 in 1895. In recent years the Northern White Rhino subspecies has been pushed to the brink of extinction due to poaching in Northern Congo and the inaccessibility for conservation organizations due to the civil war. It is now believed that only 10 Northern White Rhinos remain in Garamba National park, but efforts are still being made to save this subspecies.

​

White Rhino General information

  • Weight:  4,000 – 6,000 lbs

  • Height (at shoulder):  5 -6 ft

  • Length (head and body):  12,5 – 15 ft

  • Anterior Horn length:  37 in – 40 in

  • Posterior Horn length: up to up to 22 in

  • Lifespan: 40 to 50 years

  • Characteristics: wide upper lip and a noticeable hump on the back of its neck.


White Rhino Behavior

  • White Rhinos may reach speeds of 28 mph

  • White Rhinos are semi-territorial and more social than the Black Rhino

  • Males are mainly solitary and territorial, sometimes satellite males share territories.

  • Female are more social, as well as sub-adults.

  • White Rhinos graze during the morning and evening and sleep or wallow during the afternoon.


White Rhino Reproduction

  • Gestation period: around 16 months.

  • Birth intervals per calf: 2 to 3 years.

  • Female sexual maturity: at 6 to 7 years

  • Male sexual maturity: at 7 to 10 years

  • Newborn weaned: at 2 months (may continue suckling to over 12 months)


White Rhino Distribution

  • Pre 20th century numbers: 100

  • Current estimated numbers in wild: 14,500 - 20,000

  • Current numbers in captivity: 777

  • Habitat: tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas and shrub lands.

  • Historic Natural Range: Southern White Rhino subspecies in Southern Africa (Namibia, Botswana, South, Zimbabwe & Mozambique) and the Northern White subspecies in Central Africa (Northern Congo, Southern Sudan & Western Uganda)

  • Current Range: In several National Parks primarily located in Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe & Kenya.


White Rhino Diet

  • White Rhinos are grazers and primarily feed on grasses

  • White Rhinos can live up to 4 to 5 days without water.

     

bottom of page