The black rhino (Diceros bicornis) is the smaller, rarer and more aggressive of Africa's two rhinos. A browser with a pointed, hooked upper lip for grabbing twigs and leaves, it is solitary, territorial and critically endangered. In the Kruger it is a secretive, thrilling and increasingly scarce sighting.
Name
Black Rhinoceros [Diceros bicornis]
Appearance
Black Rhinos have a bulky, heavy frame that weighs up to 1 200kg. Black rhinos have generally shorter horns than white rhinos, they have a pointed upper lip and trumpet shaped ears. The black rhino will usually be seen holding their small head high. The colour of the Black Rhino’s skin is partially determined by the type of soil it rolls in.
Diet
What most people don’t know is the Black Rhino doesn’t naturally eat grass. It is a browser that feeds on herbs, twigs, leaves and trees. Twigs and leaves are grabbed by the upper hook-like lip and pulled into the mouth where their molars masticate and shear the food.
Breeding
Black Rhinos don’t have a mating season. Their gestation period lasts on average about 15 months after which a single calf is born with the rare occasion where twins are born. Female Black Rhinos will reproduce every 2 to 5 years.
Behaviour
Black Rhinos are very solitary animals that prefer living on its own. Rhino Bull territories are determined by the availability of food and water. Black Rhino bulls are very territorial and will kill straying bulls that enter their territory. When at full speed, Black Rhinos can run up to 55 km/h.
Location
Black Rhinos are a critically endangered species whose population has taken a drastic decline since 1970. Because of poaching, Black Rhinos have been taken out of their natural habitats to safe and secure Rhino sanctuaries. Black Rhinos can still be found in the wild, in savannas and grassland areas. If you are lucky, you can encounter a Black Rhino on a Kruger Day safari.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a black rhino different from a white rhino?
Black rhino have a pointed, prehensile upper lip for browsing leaves and twigs, whereas white rhino have a wide, square lip for grazing grass. Black rhino are smaller, more solitary and more aggressive, and carry the head held high; white rhino are larger, calmer and graze head-down in the open.
What do black rhinos eat?
Contrary to what many expect, black rhino do not naturally eat grass. They are browsers, feeding on herbs, twigs, leaves and small trees. The hooked upper lip grabs branches and pulls them into the mouth, where the molars grind and shear the woody food, a diet suited to thicket and bushveld.
Why is the black rhino critically endangered?
Black rhino numbers have collapsed since the 1970s, driven mainly by poaching for their horn. Many surviving animals have been moved from the wild into secure sanctuaries to protect them. They remain critically endangered, so a wild black rhino sighting in the Kruger is rare and precious.
Where might you see a black rhino in the Kruger?
Black rhino are secretive and far scarcer than white rhino, so sightings are uncommon. They favour dense bush and thicket where they browse, rather than open grassland, and are most active in the cooler parts of the day. Patience, an early start and an experienced guide give you the best chance.
