White rhinoceros facts for kids

Quick facts for kids White rhinoceros
White Rhinoceros
Conservation status
Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Perissodactyla
Family:	Rhinocerotidae
Genus:	Ceratotherium
Species:	C. simum
Binomial name
Ceratotherium simum (Burchell, 1817)
Subspecies
Ceratotherium simum simum Ceratotherium simum cottoni
The white rhinoceros original range (orange: Northern (C. s. cottoni), green: Southern (C. s. simum)).

The white rhinoceros (or square-lipped rhinoceros) is a very large rhinoceros. Its scientific name is Ceratotherium simum. It is one of the five types of rhinos still alive today. This amazing animal is also one of the few very big animals, called megafauna, that are still around.

White rhinos have a wide, flat mouth. They use this mouth to eat grass, like a giant lawnmower! They are also the most friendly of all rhino types. This means they often live in groups.

There are two kinds, or subspecies, of white rhinos. The northern white rhino is almost gone. The southern white rhino is also rare, but there are more of them.

What Makes White Rhinos Special?

White rhinos are the biggest rhinos. They are also the second-largest land mammal after the elephant. A male white rhino can weigh over 3,600 kilograms (8,000 pounds). That's like three small cars! They can be up to 4 meters (13 feet) long. They also have two horns on their nose. The front horn is usually longer.

Why Are They Called "White" Rhinos?

It's a bit of a trick! White rhinos are not actually white. They are usually grey. The name "white" might come from a misunderstanding. Some people think it came from the Dutch word "weit." This word means "wide" and refers to their wide, square lips. Black rhinos have pointed lips. So, "wide-lipped" became "white-lipped."

Where Do White Rhinos Live?

White rhinos live in southern and eastern Africa. They like open grasslands and savannas. These areas have plenty of grass for them to eat. They need water nearby too, for drinking and cooling off.

Northern and Southern White Rhinos

• Southern white rhinos live mostly in South Africa. There are also smaller groups in other countries. These include Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Kenya.
• Northern white rhinos used to live in central Africa. Sadly, only a very few are left. They are now protected in special reserves.

What Do White Rhinos Eat?

White rhinos are herbivores, meaning they only eat plants. They are grazers, which means they eat grass. Their wide lips are perfect for this. They can eat large amounts of grass very quickly. This helps them get enough energy to support their huge bodies.

Social Life of White Rhinos

White rhinos are more social than other rhino types. Females often live in groups with their calves. These groups can have up to 14 rhinos. Adult males are usually more solitary. They mark their territory. They will defend it from other males.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Female white rhinos usually have one baby at a time. A baby rhino is called a calf. Calves are born after about 16 months of pregnancy. They weigh around 40 to 65 kilograms (90 to 140 pounds) at birth. Calves stay with their mothers for up to three years. They learn how to find food and stay safe.

Conservation of White Rhinos

White rhinos face many dangers. The biggest threat is poaching. Poachers hunt rhinos for their horns. Rhino horns are used in some traditional medicines. They are also seen as a symbol of wealth. This illegal trade has caused rhino numbers to drop.

Many people and groups are working to protect white rhinos. They try to stop poaching. They also protect rhino habitats. Breeding programs in zoos and reserves help too. These efforts are helping the southern white rhino population grow. But the northern white rhino is still in great danger.

Images for kids

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  White rhinos in Murchison Falls National Park Uganda

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  Rhino in Solio Reserve, Kenya

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  Southern white rhinos near Waterberg National Park, Namibia

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  A drawing showing a black rhino (top) and a white rhino (bottom)

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  A northern white rhinoceros crossing the equator

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  White rhinos have three distinct toes

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  The skull of a white rhino

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  Chromosomes of a female northern white rhino

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  White rhinoceros wallowing in the mud

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  A calf of a white rhinoceros

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  Young rhino with mother at Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve, Johannesburg

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  A female northern white rhino from the early 1900s

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  White rhinoceros at Seoul Grand Park in Gwacheon, South Korea

See also

In Spanish: Rinoceronte blanco para niños