Interesting facts about the black and white rhinos

On World Rhino Day we celebrate the protection and conservation of our rhinos.

In Africa we have the black rhino and the white rhino.

Black rhino

The black rhino, which are actually grey, can be distinguished by their short necks and hooked lips.

The black rhino are browsers, using their pointed upper lips like a miniature elephant trunk to twist off low-growing branches of trees and shrubs.

Black rhinos are actually shy and inquisitive, but they will run towards anything unusual in their surroundings.

If you encounter a black rhino in the wild, you should stand very still or climb the nearest tree.

A female with a calf will charge anything she considers a potential threat.

Rhinos have poor eyesight, but a good sense of smell and hearing.

Black rhino grow to 1.6m tall, weigh up to 1 400kg and have two horns.

Black rhino are the fastest kind of rhino with a top speed of 55km per hour.

White rhino

No one really knows where the white rhino’s name comes from, although it is said to come from the Dutch word “wijd”.

The white rhino has a wide mouth and is a grazer, mainly eating grass.

The white rhino lives in social groups and are the most abundant rhino species.

The white rhino has two horns.

Watch this little white rhino running around, followed closely by his mom.