what i learned about black rhinos

                                  what i learned about black rhinos   

   he black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) is the most well known of the five living rhinoceros species, with its aggressive reputation and highly publicised international conservation drive. Black rhinoceros are in fact grey in colour and are distinguished from the other African species (which is also grey) the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), by its pointed, prehensile upper lip; white rhinoceros have square lips ⁽²⁾. Both African rhinoceros species possess two horns, made from clumped fibres rather than bone, and the taller front horn may be 60 centimetres or longer

 

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Perissodactyla
Family	Rhinocerotidae
Genus	Diceros

                            Once found throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa with the exception of the Congo Basin and other equatorial forest areas of West Africa ⁽⁴⁾. The recent decimation of the black rhinoceros has restricted the range to fragmented populations, predominately existing in reserves in Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Cameroon, Malawi and Swaziland ⁽⁴⁾. Four subspecies are recognised in different areas of the species range: the southwestern (Diceros bicornis bicornis), western (D. b. longipes), eastern (D. b. michaeli) and south-central black rhinoceros (D. b. minor) respectively                            

                   

Black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis)

Black rhinoceros, anterior view

CRITICALLY
ENDANGERED

Top facts

• The black rhino has two horns which are made of keratin
• In spite of its name, the black rhino is actually grey

Learn more in our fact file below

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Black rhinoceros fact file

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• Biology
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Black rhinoceros description

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Perissodactyla
Family	Rhinocerotidae
Genus	Diceros (1)

The black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) is the most well known of the five living rhinoceros species, with its aggressive reputation and highly publicised international conservation drive. Black rhinoceros are in fact grey in colour and are distinguished from the other African species (which is also grey) the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), by its pointed, prehensile upper lip; white rhinoceros have square lips ⁽²⁾. Both African rhinoceros species possess two horns, made from clumped fibres rather than bone, and the taller front horn may be 60 centimetres or longer ⁽⁴⁾.

French

Rhinocéros Noir.

Spanish

Rinoceronte Negro.

Size

Shoulder height: 1.4 - 1.8 m ⁽²⁾

Length: 3 - 3.75 m ⁽²⁾

Weight

800 - 1400 kg ⁽²⁾

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Related species

• 
  Javan rhinoceros
  (Rhinoceros sondaicus)
• 
  Sumatran rhinoceros
  (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis)
• 
  White rhinoceros
  (Ceratotherium simum)

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Black rhinoceros biology

                                   

Black rhinoceros conservation

The population crash in the latter half of the 20th Century saw rhinoceros numbers plummet to a low of about 2,400 individuals ⁽⁴⁾. A variety of conservation approaches have been adopted, which have resulted in the stabilisation and partial recovery of populations in a number of countries. The most successful have involved the rigorous protection of rhinoceros in fenced sanctuaries, often in partnerships between the State and private sectors, or in intensely protected unfenced zones within larger areas ⁽⁴⁾. Dehorning has also been used in some countries to reduce the incentives to poach ⁽⁴⁾. In 1997, Yemen became a signatory of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), thus greatly reducing the demand for rhinoceros horn in the Middle East ⁽⁷⁾. By 2001, the continental black rhinoceros population had increased to 3,100, with populations in six of the eight range states increasing ⁽⁴⁾. Most individuals are conserved in heavily protected areas. The African Rhino Specialist Group of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) provides advice on the conservation of African rhinoceros, and has developed a detailed Action Plan, which provides extensive information and strategic direction for their conservation