5 FACTS ABOUT RHINO

5 FACTS ABOUT RHINO

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Unfortunately, Rhinos are famous for being one of the most poached animal in the world. Because the animals' horns are used in folk medicine for their supposed healing properties, rhinos have been hunted nearly to extinction.

Here are 5 facts you might not know about that incredible animal!

1. A group of rhinos is called a ‘crash’

Male rhinos are called 'bulls' and females are called 'cows'. Their young are ‘calves’. Females tend to be more sociable than the more solitary, territorial males. Together, a group of rhinos is called a ‘crash’.

2. White and Black Rhinos are GREY

The names of black and white rhinos are misleading – as both are actually grey. The white rhino is said to have gotten its name from the Afrikaans word for wide (‘wyd’), referring to its wide, square lip (in contrast, black rhinos have a pointy upper lip). Early English explorers mistook this word for ‘white’ and consequently named this species ‘white’ rhino, and the other ‘black’ rhino to differentiate.

3. Rhino’s best mate is… a bird

You will very often see a fun species of birds hanging out with rhinos. The oxpecker will sit on a rhino's back and eat the bugs and parasites that crawl on the rhino's skin. The oxpecker call will also warn the rhino when a danger approaches.

4. White rhinos are the second largest land mammal 

They can weigh over 3500kg and are heavier than Black Rhinos. That makes them the second largest land mammal after the elephant 

 

5. Rhinos are fast

Despite their size and weight, Rhinos are surprisingly fast. White Rhinos can run up to 40 km/h for short periods.