Black Rhinoceros

Diceros bicornis

The Black Rhino is a vegetarian that eats more than 200 species of plants. It is unpredictable and nearly as likely to charge as to run away when disturbed. When charging, it puffs and snorts like a steam engine, running with its tail erect at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. Some rhinos travel 5 to 15 miles every day to drink; in hot weather, they like to lie in mud wallows. All of the world's five species of rhinos are endangered species.

Look For : A wide, powerfully built, dark gray animal with a barrel-shaped body, thick legs, and three-toed feet. The hide is thick, folded at points, and hairless. Upper lip hooked or pointed and flexible.

Length : Body 9'6"-10'2" long, tail 24-28" long; 1,500-3,000 lb.

Habitat : Many habitat types, but usually dense woody vegetation; sometimes grasslands.

Range : Africa. Once found widely; now extinct outside reserves. Can be seen in well-protected reserves in eastern and southern Africa.