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The Black Rhinoceros: Bigger than a Truck?

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 4 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

Ranked #322 in Animals, #8044 overall

Rated G. (Control what you see)

Breaking the Scales...

 

The Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) may not look black, and that's because it isn't. It's gray, and hard to differentiate between them and other species of rhinos. Adults weigh a ton...literally. Breaking the scales at a whopping 1760 pounds minimum and typically ranging up to near 4000 pounds, this animal weighs more than some small trucks!

What does the Black Rhinoceros Look Like? 

Cool facts about the Black Rhino

Rhinos are well known and instanlty recognizable from their large, armor-like body and 2 large horns. There are four subspecies of Black Rhinos. The Western Black Rhino is believed to recently become extinct. Black Rhinos originate from eastern and central Africa including the countries of Tanzania, Cameroon, South Africa, Namibia, Kenya and Zimbabwe. They are about 10-12 feet long and 5 feet tall on average. Females are smaller than males. Their horns are made of a tough, fiborous protein, keratin, typically found in nails, hair, hooves and claws of animals. Two horns are usually present, however a third smaller horn develops. The largest horn can be 20 inches long.

A pointed mouth helps them with their herbivorous lifestyle, gnawing on leaves and twigs and clearing out dense woods, maintaining a grassy environment on the Africa plains. The ultra-thick outside layer of skin protects against thick, sharp grass and brush, and allows it to venture into areas other animals may not have the advantage of a tough skin. They also rely on their sense of smell and hearing much more than their poor eyesight.

Black Rhino Photos on Flickr 

Get a better idea of what a Black Rhinoceros looks like with these photos.

Rhinos by Coyotos

Rhinos, mother and calf, in Kenya

Rhino at the beach by Michael Poliza

Rhino at the beach Zimbabwe

Little Black Rhino by anne makaske

Rhino Trot

Baby Black Rhinos by ciscospice

A pair of young black rhinos.

Black Rhino - Ngorongoro Crater by macleong

Black Rhino sniffing the air looking for trouble

Black Rhino Orphan [Africa Geographic] by markeveleigh

Orphaned black rhino at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Nairobi

Tsavo Black Rhino by Dimitri_V

Black Rhino close-up

Black rhino by Nathan & Jenny

Standing tall

Black Rhino by sirbrian

In Kenya

Black Rhinos by RemyOmar

Amongst the Zebras

black-rhino-3 by International Rhino Foundation

Grassland creature

Black Rhino Calf - Nairobi NP by markeveleigh

Calf

Mother Inge and two-month old female black rhino calf by ѕhadowdancer

Rhino Calf just born

Black Rhino by Michael Poliza

On the Plains

Black Rhino feeding by Michael Poliza

Feeding

Pecking Order by Alastair Rae

Give way to the elephant

Full Speed Ahead - 6722 by Edgar Thissen

Full Speed Ahead!

"Can I please play with you guys?" by ~Sage~

Can I play with you guys?

Mum and Bub trotting along ..  P1010894 by missnoma

Mum and Bub

Black Rhinoceros coming straight on by WildImages (In the Falklands for now)

Straight On!

Black Rhino Poll 

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Rhino Videos 

Seeing these creatures in action will give you a better idea of how big they really are.

Rhino Attacks Tourists

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109094 views
10 Comments:


RHINOS! (Black and White) on Safari

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67007 views
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RHINO Loves Jeep :) Africa Safari

Runtime: 1:16
97780 views
10 Comments:

They Weight a Ton...or Two

Black Rhinos can weigh near 4000 pounds, that's as much as a small truck!

The Rhino Horn Demand 

Poachers selling horn as status symbol

The Black Rhino has long been poached for its horn, tail and other body parts, being commonly used for disproven medicinal benefits. Later, poaching dramatically increased in the 1970s. Why? Oil! The world's dependence on foreign oil allowed poverty-sticken Middle Eastern nations like Yemen to grow exponentially, and became much wealthier per capita. Rhino horn is a coveted prize used for knife handles in Middle Eastern countries. These horns were (and still are) sold for tens of thousand of dollars.

The growing demand for the horns decreased the Black Rhino population to an all-time low count of 2410 in 2004, down from an estimated several hundred thousand in 1900. Between 1970 and 1992, the Black Rhino population decreased 96%. Anti-poaching efforts and laws have been put in place to try and protect all rhinoceros, but it is a task difficult to maintain.

Here's Where you can Help!

Below you will find organizations that help to conserve this dwindling species. Help out the Black Rhinoceros so future generations can enjoy this amazing animal!

Black Rhino Links 

Here are two long established organizations, very worth to donate to. Help the black rhino recover!
The International Rhino Foundation
The International Rhino Foundation is dedicated to the survival of the world's rhino species through conservation and research. Adopt a Rhino!
David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
Daphne Sheldrick is recognized internationally as probably the world authority on both the African Elephant and the Black Rhinoceros, with a broad knowledge of Natural History and the interlocking role of different species within the environment.

More Endangered Species... 

Rhino Feedback! 

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Thanks for reading! Have something to share about Black Rhinos, or just like the lens? Drop a line here!

ElizabethJeanAllen wrote...

I didn't realize the Black Rhino was endangered. I should have. I've never seen one, not even in a zoo.
Great lens on a worthy cause.
I would also like to say thank you for your kind comments on my Say Something Nice Lens.
5*
Lizzy

ReplyPosted November 21, 2008

naturegirl7 wrote...

Welcome to the Naturally Native Squids group. Don't forget to add your lens link to the appropriate plexo and vote for it.

ReplyPosted October 30, 2008

ArtByLinda wrote...

Wonderful information on the Black Rhino, I just visited a wildlife safari in Oregon that is heavily involved in helping to save endangered animals. They had two Rhino's there, but honestly I couldn't tell you if they were the Black rhino, they looked fit, and happy! They run loose with the cars, and you get a warning note when you go in "If the rhino's are close, do not stop. We are not responsible for punctured tires or tipped over vehicles!" Great lens! 5 ***** to you! Linda

ReplyPosted August 19, 2008

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