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Southern white rhinoceros

Let's learn

With their huge size, armoured looking skin and horned snout, the rhinoceros is almost dinosaur like in its appearance. Living in the savannahs of Africa, and in the tropical and sub-tropical forests and swampy grasslands of Asia, there are 5 different species of rhino, 3 of which are critically endangered.

Despite their fearsome appearance, rhinos are generally quite timid creatures and spend most of their day grazing for the large daily intake of grass, stems and branches required to support them.

They may look heavy and awkward but rhinos can actually charge at speeds of up to 28 mph. With famously poor eyesight though, there’s no guarantee they can see what they’re charging at!

Conservation status | Near threatened

Fact Sheet

Scientific name

Ceratotherium simum simum

Family

Rhinocerotidae

Order

Perissodactyla

Lifespan

25 to 45 years

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