Black Rhino / Hook-lipped Rhino

Afrikaans name: Swart Renoster

Black Rhino or Hook-lipped Rhino

Photo © Steven Herbert

Diceros bicornis

Interesting facts about Black Rhinos

South Africa is home to both the White and Black Rhino although the White Rhino is far more common.

Black Rhinos are not commonly seen. They stick to thick bush and are renowned for their short-tempered nature. They even fight each other sometimes ending in injury or death.

Another, more accurate name, for the Black Rhino is the Hook-lipped Rhino.

Black Rhinos are smaller than White. Adults weigh up to 1,400 kg. The horns are also shorter. Click the link for more information on the differences between Black and White Rhinos.

Normally Black Rhino occur singly but females may be seen with their calves. Small groups may be seen on occasion.

Black Rhinos eat branches, shoots, plants and fruit.

The gestation period for a Black Rhino is 15 to 16 months. Females keep their calves for 2 to 3 years and will also only give birth every two and a half to 5 years.

These large mammals can live up to 50 years.

Photo © Steven Herbert

References and further reading

Wild Ways - 2nd Edition - Author: Peter Apps - Published: 2000 - Page: 125

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 218

Tracks and Tracking in Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2000 - Page: 92

The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 340

The Natal Bushveld - Volume 2 - Author: Natal Parks Board - Published: 1981 - Page: 13

The Mammal Guide of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 2011 - Page: 104

Southern Africas Threatened Wildlife - Author: John Ledger - Published: 1990 - Page: 22

The Living Deserts of Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Darry Lovegrove - Published: 2021 - Page: 112

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 47

South African Animals in the Wild - Author: Anthony Bannister - Published: 1985 - Page: 59

Signs of the Wild - 5th Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1996 - Page: 128

Signs of the Wild - 3rd Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1986 - Page: 129

Questions and Answers - Endangered Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: John Comrie-Greig - Published: 1992 - Page: 11

Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 7

Pollinators, Predators and Parasites - Author: C. Scholtz, J. Scholtz, H. De Klerk - Published: 2021 - Page: 245

Mammals of the Kruger and other National Parks - Author: The National Parks Board - Published: 1980 - Page: 72

Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 1987 - Page: 71

Maberlys Mammals of Southern Africa - Revised edition - Author: Richard Goss - Published: 1986 - Page: 198

Kruger National Park, Visitors Map 1996 - Author: - Published: 1996 - Page: 2

Land Mammals of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Reay HN Smithers - Published: 1986 - Page: 138

Kruger National Park Questions and Answers - Author: P.F. Fourie - Published: 1987 - Page: 189

go! - Kruger - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 13

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 414

Field Guide to the Mammals of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. de V. Pienaar et al. - Published: 1987 - Page: 102

Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2001 - Page: 172

Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1997 - Page: 76

Chris and Tilde Stuarts Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Edit - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1988 - Page: 172

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 6

An Introduction to the Larger Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Joanna Dalton - Published: 1987 - Page: 168

African Wildlife - A photographic safari - Author: Nigel and Wendy Dennis - Published: 1999 - Page: 28

A Field Guide to the Mammals of Africa including Madagascar - Author: Theodor Haltenorth and Helmut Diller - Published: 1980 - Page: 116

A Field Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Southern and East African Wildlife - 3rd - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2000 - Page: 105

World Wildlife Fund

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List of South African Mammals