White Rhinoceros
(Ceratotherium simum)
Facts
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IUCN NEAR THREATENED (NT)
Facts about this animal
The White Rhino is a large rhino and a very impressive animal with a distinct massive hump on the neck. The head-body length is about 350 cm, the height at the shoulder 160-200 cm. It weights about 2500-3500 kg. The head is very long and it has two massive long horns. The upper lips are squared and there's no trace of protruding lip. They have large and pointed ears, fringed by thick hairs. The skin is hairless and pale grey. The only skinfold is at the base of the forelimb. Females are similar to the males but have generally longer and more slender horns. The weight at birth is about 40 kg.
Did you know?
that African rhinos,whether "white" or "black" are grey coloured? The name "white" rhino is derived from the Afrikaans word "wyt", which means "wide" and does obviously not refer to the animal's colour but to its broad lips and square-shaped grazing mouth.
| Factsheet | |
|---|---|
| Class | MAMMALIA |
| Order | PERISSODACTYLA |
| Suborder | CERATOMORPHA |
| Family | RHINOCEROTIDAE |
| Name (Scientific) | Ceratotherium simum |
| Name (English) | White Rhinoceros |
| Name (French) | Rhinocéros blanc |
| Name (German) | Breitmaulnashorn |
| Name (Spanish) | Rinoceronte blanco |
| Local names | Afrikaans: Witrenoster chiShona: Chipembere isiNdebele: Umkhombo omhlophe isiXhosa: Umkhombe isiZulu: Ubhejane omhlophe sePedi, seSotho, seTswana: Tshukudu, mogohu tshiVenda: Tshugulu xiTsonga: Mhelembe |
| CITES Status | Appendix I (Populations of Ceratotherium s. simum of South Africa and Swaziland: Appendix II) |
| CMS Status | Not listed |
WAZA Projects
Photo Copyright by
Kathrin Marthaler, Switzerland
Distribution
| Distribution | |
|---|---|
| Range | Eastern and southern Africa |
| Habitat | Dry open woodlands with good grasslands |
| Wild population | Ceratotherium s. simum: Approx. 17'480 (2007). Ceratotherium s. cottoni: a very few, if any, are left in the wild. |
| Zoo population | Ceratotherium s. simum: Approx. 730 of which 467 reported to ISIS (2008); Ceratotherium s. cottoni: 8 in 2 institutions. |
In the Zoo
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How this animal should be transported
Rhinos should be allowed to get used to the transport crate, which may take from 1-6 weeks depending on the individual rhino’s temperament. Transport crates should allow the rhino to stand comfortably, provide drainage for urine, be adequately reinforced, have adequate ventilation holes or spacing, permit access for food and water for longer transports, and allow handlers to adequately monitor the rhino’s condition. Temperature in the crate should range from 12-20 °C. Handlers familiar with the individual rhino should travel with the animal to the receiving institution. They should regularly monitor the condition of the animal during transport.
For air transport, Container Requirement 71 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.
Road transport (according to the South African Standard SANS 10331): Transport in special rhino crates under tranquillization. Professional assistance from competent nature conservation staff or an experienced capture team is necessary for loading and transportation since special facilities are required.
Find this animal on ZooLex
Photo Copyright by
Kathrin Marthaler, Switzerland
Why do zoos keep this animal
The Southern white rhino is well managed, and wild populations are steadily growing. Zoos keep animals of this subspecies mainly for educational purposes, as ambassadors for the savanna ecosystems in which they live and as flagship species for campaigns. As breeding white rhinos proved to be very difficult in the past, an International Studbook was set up in 1966 under the WAZA umbrella, and zoos try now to establish a largely self-sustained population of Ceratotherium simum simum managed under regional conservation breeding programmes.
The situation is completely different for the Northern white rhino, which is almost extinct in the wild. In this case ex situ conservation breeding may be the last resort to save the species. However theer are only 11 animals of these subspecies in human care and breeding success is not satisfactory.
How this animal should be kept
For a pair of adult rhinos an outdoor enclosure of 1000 m² should be provided which should allow for a subdivision into two enclosures if so required. The enclosure should be enlarged by 10 % for each additional animal kept. Some protection against rain, snow, wind and sun should be provided. The soil should in places allow for grubbing, but should be paved or covered by marly limestone at feeding sites and at the entrance to the indoor facilities. There should be a mud bath, and clean drinking water should be available at all times. The animals should have access to the outdoor enclosure all year round.
In temperate and cold climatic zones, white rhinos must have also have an indoor enclosure of at least 30 m² per animal, in addition there must be a bathing pool. It must be possible to separate each animal. A mininal room temperature of 15 °C should be maintained.
Surplus males may be kept singly, otherwise white rhinos should be kept in pairs or small groups.
The food should be composed of grass, hay, herbivore pellets, fruit and leaves.