Southern white rhinos are the most abundant of the five rhino species, listed as "Near Threatened" rather than extinct, with around 18,000 living in protected, primarily South African, savannah habitats. They are massive, social grazers weighing up to 5,000 lbs, easily identified by their wide, square mouths used for eating grass.
Key Southern White Rhino Facts:
Appearance: Despite their name, they are grey in color, not white. The name comes from a misinterpretation of the Afrikaans word wyd (wide), referring to their broad, square upper lip, which is perfectly adapted for grazing.
9Size & Speed: These are the largest of all rhino species. Males can weigh up to 5,000–6,000 lbs (2.3–2.7 tonnes) and reach 12–13 ft in length. Despite their bulk, they can run at speeds of up to to 30 to 35 mph.
Habitat & Range: They live in the grasslands and savannahs of Southern Africa, particularly in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.
Behavior: They are the most social of all rhino species, with females often seen in groups with their calves. They are notoriously fond of wallowing in mud to protect their skin from insects and the sun.
Horns: They have two horns made of keratin (the same substance as human hair and fingernails), with the front horn being longer. They use these for defense and for guiding their young.
Diet: They are grazers, which means they feed exclusively on grass, unlike black rhinos, which are browsers that eat shrubs and trees.
Threats & Conservation: While they have made a significant comeback from the brink of extinction in the early 20th century, they are still threatened by poaching for their horns.
Predators: Adult white rhinos have no natural predators, though calves can be targeted by lions, hyenas, and crocodiles.
