Females may wander freely through these territories without threatening the males. International Rhino Foundation. Females weigh 1,700 kg (3,750 lb) and males 2,300 kg (5,070 lb). At present, Northern white rhinos are critically endangered. In zoos, white rhinos live in small herds. Cows and adolescents are rarely solitary. The southern white rhino was nearly extinct with just less than 20 individuals in a single South African reserve in early 20th century. Their stocky body features some small skin folds on the flanks and elbows with the rest being mostly smooth. Within an hour of birth the calf is on its feet and starts to drink milk. Females typically move together in a group of 5 to 6 individuals known as a crash. If you’re a rhino and you know how to detect the signs, then you know when you’ve entered a dominant bull’s territory. [4] On its snout it has two horns. White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium Simum) Longevity, Ageing, And. [online] Available at: <, International Rhino Foundation. These animals help to increase the biodiversity of grasses and potentially prevent wildfires. The Zoo's monthly newsletter and news updates. Southern white rhinos live almost exclusively in the country of South Africa. They have an immense body and large head, a short neck and broad chest. A single rhino eats up to 120 lbs. Southern white rhinos are one of the largest and heaviest land animals in the world. Grasses are the white rhino’s favorite food, and they cannot live in habitats without it. Little is known about the mating system in Southern white rhinos. When they return to the crash the calf will not separate from mum. The current census from Save the Rhino's official website revealed there are 19,682–21,077 southern white rhinoceros since 2015.[2]. Wildlife Of The World. Adult white rhinos have no natural predators except humans due to their large size. You can see southern white rhinos on exhibit at The Maryland Zoo in the African Journey Watering Hole exhibit. All Rights Reserved . Once they reach adulthood, the males strike off on their own and remain solitary. Their diet is made up mostly of grass. About 98.5% of southern white rhino occur in just five countries (South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Uganda). The white rhino is not coloured white instead being a slate grey or yellowish brown. You Tube - Opens in new window, ©2020 The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore . Southern white rhinos are threatened by the habitat loss, continuous poaching in recent years and the high illegal demand for rhino horn for commercial purposes. The latest on endangered species and conservation efforts. The subspecies is also known as Burchell's rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum burchellii) after William John Burchell and Oswell's rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum oswellii) after William Cotton Oswell respectively. [9] Two of the southern white rhinos began the process of being released into the wild on May 13, 2014. On their snout, they have two horns. However, the rate of reproduction is fairly low among captive-born southern white females, potentially due to their diet. They prefer this habitat to more heavily forested areas because grass grows more densely. Available at: [Accessed 11 July 2020]. The northern and southern subspecies, which appear similar, have been genetically separated for two million years. Their head hangs down low to the ground; they look up only when alarmed. Since 2006, rhino poaching peaked in 2014-15 but is still a greater problem than it was prior to 2013. They are mostly hunted for their horn which is believed to have medicinal properties in many cultures. Discounts and news about special Zoo savings. They begin to eat grass within a few weeks but nurse until they are 18 months old. There are two subspecies of white rhino. 5. Southern White Rhinoceros – Fresno Chaffee Zoo. Southern white rhinoceros are the largest rhinos and are the second largest animals on Earth after the elephant. All white rhinos impact the environment in which they live by grazing constantly (no need for lawnmowers when you have white rhinos around) and by spreading plant seeds. Southern white rhinos are mainly social animals. The southern white rhino was nearly extinct with just less than 20 individuals in a single South African reserve in early 20th century. Southern White Rhinoceros. 1st ed. Life History. [online] Available at: <, WWF. They live in the grasslands and savannahs. Southern White Rhinoceros The white rhino is the third largest land mammal in the world, dwarfed only by the Asian elephant and the African elephant. Southern white rhinoceros are the largest rhinos and are the second largest animals on Earth after the elephant.