White Rhinoceros
    Image: Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0

    White Rhinoceros

    Ceratotherium simum

    Big Five
    Near Threatened

    Quick Facts

    Gestation~490 days
    Dietgrass

    Facts sourced from Wikidata (CC0).

    Best Months to Spot

    JFMAMJJASOND

    Most sightings recorded in Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov. Data from GBIF - a global database of verified wildlife observations by researchers and citizen scientists.

    Conservation Status

    Conservation hub
    NT - Near ThreatenedDecreasing population

    Close to qualifying as threatened in the near future.

    The primary threat to white rhinos is poaching for their horns, driven by illegal wildlife trade. Despite significant poaching pressure, dedicated anti-poaching units and international conservation efforts have seen some localized successes in population recovery in certain areas. Responsible safari tourism plays a vital role by generating revenue for conservation initiatives, supporting local communities, and raising awareness about the importance of protecting these magnificent animals.

    The white rhinoceros, also known as the white rhino or square-lipped rhinoceros, is the largest extant species of rhinoceros and the most social of all rhino species, characterized by its wide mouth adapted for grazing. The species includes two subspecies with dramatically different conservation outlooks: the southern white rhinoceros, with an estimated 17,464 individuals in the wild as of the end of 2023, and the northern white rhinoceros. The northern subspecies is critically endangered and on the brink of extinction; its last known male, Sudan, died in March 2018, leaving behind only two females. Both subspecies have faced significant threats, primarily from poaching for their horns and habitat loss, which contribute to the species' overall conservation status of Near Threatened. White rhinoceros can run up to 40 mph (64 km/h) for very short bursts. They can maintain speeds of around 30–31 mph (48–50 km/h) for a good amount of time, and they have good stamina.

    Description adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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