Rhinoceros

Rhinoceros

The White Rhinoceros or Square-lipped rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) is one of the five species of rhinoceros that still exist and is one of the few megafauna species left.

Behind only the Elephant, it is probably the most massive remaining land animal in the world. It is well known for its wide mouth used for grazing and for being the most social of all rhino species. The White Rhino is the most common of all rhinos and consists of two subspecies, with the northern subspecies being rarer than the southern. The northern subspecies may have as few as 13 remaining world-wide – 9 captive and 4 wild – although the wild population has not been seen since 2006 and may have disappeared entirely.

There are two subspecies of White Rhinos; as of 2005, South Africa has the most of the first subspecies, the Southern White Rhino (Ceratotherium simum simum). Their population is about 11,600, making them the most abundant subspecies of rhino in the world. Wild-caught southern whites will readily breed in captivity given appropriate amounts of space and food, as well as the presence of other female rhinos of breeding age. For instance, 91 calves have been born at the San Diego Wild Animal Park since 1972. However, for reasons that are not currently understood, the rate of reproduction is extremely low among captive-born southern white females.

There were also two White Rhinos in Livingstone, Zambia (in the Mosi-o-tunia zoological park). They were both poached during the night of June 6, 2007. One was shot dead and dehorned not far from the gate and the other received serious bullet wounds.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The White Rhino has a massive body and large head, a short neck and broad chest. This rhino weighs 2,273 kg (5000 pounds), has a head-and-body length of 3.35-4.2 m (11-13.9 feet) and a shoulder height of 150-185 cm (59-73 inches). On its snout it has two horns made of keratin, rather than bone as in deer antlers. The front horn is larger that the other horn and averages 89.9 cm (35 inches) in length and can reach 150 cm (59 inches). The White Rhinoceros also has a noticeable hump on the back of its neck which supports its large head. Each of the rhino’s four stumpy feet has three toes. The color of this animal ranges from yellowish brown to slate gray. The only hair on them is on the ear fringes and tail bristles. White Rhinos have the distinctive flat broad mouth which is used for grazing.

Its ears can move independently to pick up more sounds but it depends most of all on smell. The olfactory passages which are responsible for smell are larger than their entire brain.

STATUS

The White Rhino is under threat from habitat loss and poaching. The horn is mostly used for traditional medicine although there are no health benefits from the horn; the horn is also used for traditional necklaces.

Once on the verge of extinction, the white rhino now flourishes in reserves and on game ranches throughout South Africa, Namibia and to a lesser extent Zimbabwe. The population is healthy, estimated at over 11,000 and surplus animals may be hunted. Many game ranchers consider rhino an excellent long term investment allowing many years of breeding before hunting the older bull and replacing it with new blood.

WEAPONS USED

As with the elephant, one does not casually walk up to a rhino without serious consideration of the firearm in their hands. Many governments regulate the caliber of firearm and the .375 H & H Magnum loaded with solid bullets is considered to be the minimum. Based on the size alone, deep penetrating, well constructed bullets are a must in order to penetrate the thick hide and any bone that might be encountered.

For bow hunters, once again special regulations apply. Please contact us for the latest and most current information.

“Green Hunting” rhinoceros with a tranquilizer dart, either shot from an air rifle or a bow is becoming a very popular event. In this case, you must be within 30 yards before taking the shot. Once you’ve posed with the trophy, it is revived by a trained biologist, living to thrill another hunter.