Understanding the differences between black rhinos and white hinos
When exploring the wildlife of Africa, few animals capture the imagination quite like rhinos. Among the five species of rhinoceros in the world (white rhino, black rhino, Indian rhino, Javan rhino and Sumatran rhino), the black rhino and white are the ones that you can (hopefully) admire on your safari in Africa. Whether you’re planning a safari or simply looking to deepen your knowledge of these magnificent creatures, understanding their distinctions is a good way to start.
Physical Differences
One of the most noticeable differences between black and white rhinos is their size and body shape. White rhinos are the larger of the two, weighing between 900 to 2,300 kgs, while black rhinos typically weigh between 700 to 1,400 kg. The white rhino has a broad, square-shaped mouth designed for grazing on grass, whereas the black rhino has a pointed, hooked-shaped mouth ideal for browsing on bushes and trees. This also means that the shoulder base of a white rhino is much more profound since their head is always down to the ground to feed. With black rhinos this is slightly different since they browse on bushes and trees, they often have to raise their head to reach these branches.
Color and Skin Texture
This is a funny one, and I often get the question while driving: "So, this is a black rhino, right?" while pointing out the dark, greyish color. Despite their names, both species are generally grey, and their names have nothing to do with their skin color, although they can appear different in hue due to mud or dust. So how did we come up with these names? Well... I'm sorry, people from England, but you guys messed up ;) When the Dutch settled in the Cape in 1652, they came across the 'white rhino' and named it the 'wijd-mond neushoorn', which means the 'wide-mouth rhino'. When the English took over, they mistranslated the 'wijd-mond neushoorn' and eventually came up with the current name: the white rhino. I love to think that they then saw the black rhino and thought, "You know what, let's not be difficult and name this one the black rhino".
Behavior and Temperament
Black rhinos are known for being more solitary and 'emotional' than their white counterparts. They tend to be more elusive and are often found alone or with a calf. In contrast, white rhinos are more social and can be seen in small groups, particularly mothers with their young, although this is not unusual for the black rhino either. Black rhinos have a reputation of being grumpy, angry and aggressive and that's why people often refer to them as the 'tank of the bush'. I really do not like the term aggressive with black rhino and I will tell you why. I had the privilege to encounter them many times on safari and my biggest lesson was that they are all very different. Some have very friendly personalities, some are skittish, some more aggressive and some very curious. As an example, we had one black rhino on the reserve that was known for having a bit of a attitude. Ones I got to know the individual a bit better I realised that he was very insecure and facing him with a shout or slap on the side of the vehicle if he tried to intimidate us, made things only worse. With him you just had to sit still and keep quiet and all was good. We had another individual and if he was not happy, you basically had to drive away as quickly as possible. While, with another dominant male in the area, if you spotted him you could basically park the vehicle next to him and he would be a 100% fine, even on foot which is hard to imagine with a black rhino. The best thing to keep in mind for guides is to be open minded and not assume what will happen. Read body language and adjust if necessary.
Habitat Preferences
In the wild, black rhinos are often found in more wooded or bushy vegetation where they can browse on leaves and shrubs. White rhinos, on the other hand, prefer more open savanna and grasslands where they can graze on grasses. When booking your safari it is good to understand these habitat preferences since they can enhance your safari experience, allowing you to better spot these incredible animals.
Conservation Status
Poaching remains to be the biggest threat for both species. Both species are under threat, but their conservation statuses differ. The black rhino is classified as critically endangered, with fewer than 5,500 individuals remaining. White rhinos, while still threatened, have seen some success in conservation efforts, with populations numbering over 18,000. Rhino poaching is carried out by locals, who are hired by criminal syndicates. These syndicates are part of highly-organised, transnational crime groups who illegally traffic rhino horn to sell on the black market, mostly in China and Vietnam.
Some more statistics: data from the 'International Rhino Foundation'.
At least 586 rhinos were poached in Africa in 2023, a 4% increase from 2022.
Today, one rhino is poached every 15 hours.
From 2013 to 2017, the world lost more than 3 rhinos every single day to poaching.
More than 12,000 rhinos have been poached in Africa since the start of the poaching crisis in 2008.
South Africa, which has more than half of all the world’s rhinos, accounts for the majority of the world’s rhino poaching incidents.
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Conclusion
Whether you’re on a wildlife safari in Africa or appreciating stunning photos or prints of these majestic animals, knowing the differences between black and white rhinos can be helpful. Both species are integral to the ecosystem and embody the wild beauty of Africa. By understanding and supporting conservation efforts, we can help ensure that these incredible creatures continue to roam the earth for generations to come.
If you want to know more about one of the anti-poaching teams I worked closely with, you can check out the page below:
Feel free to explore the collection of wildlife prints. With every purchase 5% of the profit will be donated to the Tango K9 anti-poaching unit in Thornybush Nature Reserve.
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