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White Rhinoceros
The White rhinoceros or Square-lipped rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) is one of five species of rhinoceros that still exist and is one of the few megafauna species left. Behind the elephant, it is probably the most massive land animal remaining in the world, along with the Indian rhinoceros and the hippopotamus, which are of comparable size. It is well known for its wide mouth used for grazing and for being the most social of all rhino species. The White rhino is the most common of all rhinos and consists of two subspecies, with the northern subspecies being rarer than the southern. The northern subspecies may have as few as 50 remaining worldwide.
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White Rhinoceros
The Southern white rhino habitat consists of savannas with shade trees, mud wallows and water holes in Kenya, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, and Namibia. Their current range is restricted to national parks and reserves.
They are usually slate gray to dark yellow and have a small amount of hair on the tips of their tails and ears and sporadically scattered on their bodies. Both sexes have horns; the front horn is longer and averages a length of 24 inches. The back horn is more triangular. The head is very long and there may be a big hump on the neck. The ears are long and appear to pivot freely.
White rhinos lack incisors and canines. White rhinos eat large quantities of grass in the wild that they crop with their wide, muscular front lip.
Peak breeding periods occur in summer and fall. A dominant male will stay with a receptive female from 1 to 3 weeks. The courtship involves the clashing of horns, vocalizing and chasing each other. The female leaves the bull's territory after mating. After a gestation period of about 16 months, a single calf is born. Calves are weaned from 1 to 2 years after birth and driven away from the herd by the female after 2 to 3 years. Sexual maturity is reached around 6 years in females and 10 years in males.
The charismatic white rhino is sought after by poachers for its horn, which is thought to have medicinal value in some cultures. Habitat destruction and urbanization have decreased white rhino populations. Droughts kill the plants on which they browse, and since white rhinos do not have a large home range, a wide scale drought can be devastating. Conservation efforts are weakened by political problems in some African countries. Game wardens and researchers often risk their lives to help protect this species from poachers. Innovative management programs are being developed to help save this wonderful and unique creature.
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