SQUARE LIPPED RHINOCEROS Ceratotherium simum

Also called the white rhino.

Distribution:

They are found in Natal, Zimbabwe, Transvaal.

Diet:

They feed on grass.

Habitat:

They are to be found in open woodland or open savanna with permanent water.

Habits:

They are fairly gregarious and move around in groups of cows and their calfs, followed by a few sub-ordinate bulls. The dominant bull is in charge.

The dominant male marks his territory with urine and middens.

They will often live in just one area for their entire life.

Females will live in home ranges which are larger than the males' terrritories.

They will use certain visual signs for communication with each other as well as vocalisations.

They can crop grass to within one centimetre of the ground.

Breeding:

A female will give birth to one young after a gestation period of 16 months.

Predators:

Adult rhino have no enemies except man who have almost rendered the rhino extinct.

The young are taken by Hyena and occasionally Lion.