Where are they found?
They are found in the open savannahs and grasslands of eastern and southern Africa. A rare subspecies is found in the northern savannahs of central Africa.

What are they?
They are mammals.

What do they look like?
They are 1.7 to 1.9m (5.5-6.25 ft.) tall at the shoulder. The White Rhino is 3.25 to 4.25m long (10.75-14 ft.) and weighs 1600-2260 kg (3500-5000 lb.). The females are smaller. They are large stocky animals, naturally grey in colour, with two facial horns and wide, squared lips.

How long do they live?
25 to 45 years.

What do they eat? As herbivores, they eat grasses. They can only graze upon short grasses, the design of their mouth prevents them from tackling long grasses. Breeding They gestate at 16 months and start breeding at 4 to 6 years, for females. The males are mature enough to start breeding at 10 to 12 years.

Are they rare?
The White Rhino is one of the largest pure grazers alive. Seed dispersal is an important part of their role in the grasslands. People of some cultures believe that Rhino horn contains medicinal properties and as a result Rhinos have been the victims of poaching. Because of education and awareness of the plight of the Rhino many things are being done to conserve them. Rhinos are sometimes relocated to safer areas in the wild. Many countries have even increased jail time and fines for those involved in the illegal trade in Rhino horn.

Did you know?
A Rhino's horn is not a true horn that is attached to the skull. It grows from the skin and is made up of keratin fibres, the same material found in hair and nails. Its squared off lip allows it to eat a wide swathe of the green, short grasses that grow in the open savannahs.

South Africa has approximately 80% of the world's population of White Rhinos.