White Rhinoceros: Interesting Facts

The white rhinoceros, also known as the square-lipped rhinoceros, is the largest of the five species of rhinoceros and the world's largest land mammal after the three species of elephant. One of its most distinctive features is a noticeable hump on the back of its neck, which sets it apart from other rhino species.

The front horn of the white rhinoceros is larger than the rear one, reaching up to 150 cm (59 in) in length, although this can vary depending on the sex. In females, the front horn tends to be longer than in males. These horns are made of solid keratin, which is different from the horns of bovids (cattle and their relatives), which have a bony core.

On its snout, the white rhinoceros has two horn-like growths, one behind the other. The largest size that this species can attain is not definitively known, but specimens weighing up to 3,600 kg (7,900 lb) have been recorded and are considered reliable. Larger sizes have been claimed, but these have not been verified.

The white rhinoceros has a massive body and large head, with a short neck and broad chest. Males tend to be heavier than females, averaging around 2,300 kg (5,100 lb) compared to the female's average of about 1,700 kg (3,700 lb). Despite their size difference, both males and females have a similar body length, ranging from 3.7 to 4 m (12.1 to 13.1 ft) in males and 3.4 to 3.65 m (11.2 to 12.0 ft) in females.

The white rhinoceros has a wide mouth used for grazing, which sets it apart from other rhino species that are more adapted to browsing or digging. It is also the most social of all rhino species and can be found living in groups.

Overall, the white rhinoceros is an incredible animal with many unique characteristics and features that set it apart from other rhino species.

White rhinoceros interesting facts