Where does the black rhinoceros live?
The black rhinoceros lives in East and Southern Africa, including Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Despite its name, its colour ranges from brown to grey. It differs from the white rhinoceros by its pointed, prehensile upper lip, while the white has a wide, square lip.
What does the black rhinoceros eat?
The black rhinoceros is a herbivore: it eats only plants. Its pointed lip is used to grasp leaves and twigs, whereas the white rhinoceros grazes on grass. Its two keratin horns, the larger of which is typically 50 cm long, are used for defence, intimidation, digging up roots and breaking branches while feeding. It is one of the "big five", the five mammals most sought after on safaris.
Is the black rhinoceros endangered?
Yes: the IUCN lists it as Critically Endangered. It is threatened by poaching and habitat reduction. Three subspecies have already disappeared, including the western black rhinoceros, declared extinct by the IUCN in 2011. The IUCN estimates that 3,142 mature individuals remain in the wild.
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