Black Rhinoceros

The black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) also colloquially known as the black rhino, is a species of rhinoceros which includes the Eastern, Southwestern, South Central, and Western subspecies, all of which inhabit different regions of Africa. To communicate their territory with other animals, black rhinos use scent marking, grunting, and snorting.

Size: A black rhinoceros can be 10 to 12 feet long, 4.5 to 5.5 feet at the shoulder, and weigh between 1,750 and 3,000 lbs.

Color: Despite its name, this animal is actually gray in color, matching the mud the rhino chooses to roll in.

Continent: Africa

Range: Kenya, Tanzania, Cameroon, South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe

Habitat: These large mammals live in the bush country, grasslands, and woodlands of Africa.

Food: This large mammal gathers leaves and woody plants to eat, and needs to drink a lot of fresh water to survive.

Reproduction: Female rhinos give birth to a single calf after a 15-months gestation. The baby will stay with its mother until it is two or three years old, which is when the mother will have another calf.

Conservation: This animal is an endangered species because of poaching; its horns are used for dagger handles and traditional medicines, although there is no scientific evidence that the horn has any medicinal powers.

Fun Facts: The two horns of the black rhinoceros are made entirely of hardened hair. Rhinos can't see very well, and anything farther than 35 feet away from the rhino appears blurry. To make up for this poor eyesight, rhinos have an excellent sense of hearing.