Black Rhinoceros

Diceros bicornis

Traveling alone, a black rhino brandishes the two horns on its head at an intruder. Intended for protection, the horns may actually lead to the rhino’s demise. Rhino horns are sought after by poachers to sell for their use in traditional medicine. Some cultures also use black rhino horn to fashion high-status dagger handles.

A rhino has three toes on each foot.
Rhinos have a poor sense of sight and rely instead on their senses of smell and hearing.
The black rhino has a hooked upper lip for grasping and pulling leaves off branches.
Males aggressively defend their territories and mates from each other with upper jabs of the horns.
Most of the remaining black rhinos survive only in protected reserves.

Fact File

Pronunciation: ri-NOS-er-us
Height: 4.7 to 5.2 ft
Weight: 2,090 to 2,870 lbs
Lifespan: Up to 40 yrs
Habitat: Woodland and scrubland
Diet: Woody plants, herbs, and fruits
Status: Species at Risk (IUCN-Critically Endangered)

Black Rhino

Made of Hair:

Made of tightly packed hair-like fibers, the front horn may grow more than four feet long.

Range:

Central and southern Africa

Rhino Rembrandts

Using their semi-prehensile lips, the Zoo’s rhinos, our very own Rhino Rembrandts, create one-of-a-kind original paintings. By purchasing a painting, you will be supporting rhino conservation worldwide. Order form

Meet a Rhino Zookeeper

Learn more about rhinos from a zookeeper at Rhino Reserve at !2:40pm every day through September 6.