The Southern White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) is a large African ungulate featured in the Africa Pack DLC of Planet Zoo.
Zoopedia Description[]
General[]
Population in the Wild: 18,000
The Southern white rhinoceros is a large species of ungulate native to Southern Africa (South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia). They are large, broad animals with thick, grey skin. The Southern white rhinoceros has two horns, with the front horn being much longer than the secondary horn. The head of the rhinoceros is almost rectangular in shape with a square snout. They have protuberant ears on the top of the musculature that supports the head. Male Southern white rhinoceros measure between 12.21 and 13 feet (3.7-4 meters) in length are 68"-75" (1.7-1.9 meters) tall and weigh an average of 5060lb (2295 kg). Females measure between 11.22 and 12.45 feet (3.4-3.8 meters) in length are 64"-70" (1.6-1.8 meters) tall and weigh an average of 3740lbs (1696 kg).
The Southern white rhinoceros is near-threatened, but has returned from the brink of extinction thanks to long-term conservation efforts. This species was reduced to 20 individuals in the early 20th Century as a result of over-hunting for meat and sport. Since then, consistent protection, captive breeding programs, and reintroduction to their historical home range has allowed the Southern white rhinoceros population to recover spectacularly. They continue to be threatened by poachers, who hunt the animal illegally for their horns. Horns can be sold for a high price for use in traditional medicine
Social[]
Male Southern white rhinoceroses are solitary: they do not interact except to mate or challenge each other territory or mates. Females may be solitary or may live in a temporary, loosely bonded group of several females and their offspring
Reproduction[]
Dominant male rhinoceroses are territorial and will preside over a large area of land that females will graze on. Females may whistle to males when they are ready to mate, or a male may detect a fertile female by smell. When a receptive female enters a male´s territory, he will track her and remain close to her for 5-20 days until she reaches peak fertility. The male will attempt to prevent the female from entering the territory of other males during this time. However, if she successfully leaves his territory, he will leave her alone. If courtship is successful, they will mate. Copulation lasts 15 to 30 minutes and rhinoceroses will mate several times over 2-5 days while the female is most fertile. Following copulation during this fertile period, the female will leave the male.
Females will give birth to 1 calf after a pregnancy of 530 to 550 days. Males do not take part in rearing offspring. Newborn rhinoceroses will feed exclusively from their mother for 2 months, then they will start eating soft young grasses in addition to milk. Weaning begins at 6 months old. Rhinoceros calves will be weaned between 12 and 18 months of age. The female rhinoceros will begin to distance herself from her young and may be actively hostile towards them when they reach 2.5 to 3 years of age. She will then become sexually receptive again.
Animal Care
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Hay · Herbivore Pellets · Fruit and Vegetables | |
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Trivia[]
Zoopedia Fun Facts[]
- The Southern white rhinoceros is the most numerous rhinoceros species.
- The Southern white rhinoceros is the largest pure grazer in the world.
- 93% of the entire population of Southern white rhinoceros live in South Africa.
- Although the Southern white rhinoceros has no natural predators, they have been seen with scars as the result of fighting with hyenas.
- The Southern white rhinoceros has mutualistic relationships with cattle egrets, red-billed oxpeckers and cape starlings, 3 bird species that remove parasites from their skin.
Gallery
