![]() The primary reason black rhino populations have been declining is poaching for its horn. In addition to defense black rhino horns provide intimidation and can help the animal dig up roots and even break branches during feeding. Like all rhinos, the horns of the black rhino is made from Keratin, a protein also found in fingernails and hair, and is extremely strong. The black rhino’s back horn is generally smaller. While most black rhino horns don’t exceed 24 inches (61 cm), the longest ever recorded black rhino horn was 55 inches (140 cm)! The black rhino has a front horn that can reach incredible lengths relative to its body size. Black rhinos have been seen charging objects ranging from trees, to cars, to passing trains. However, with its relatively poor eyesight, the black rhino will often charge when startled as a defense mechanism. The ears of the black rhinoceros possess a relatively wide rotational range to detect sounds and an excellent sense of smell. In addition, black rhinos have a much smaller “hump” on their upper back than white rhinos. The most distinguishable physical characteristic on black rhinos is their upper lip, which is triangular and evolved to help the species eat from shrubs and bushes. See all of our entertaining and insightful animal articles. The Big Five: Get to Know the Big Five Animals.What are Rhino Horns Made of & the Largest Rhino Horn Ever!.The Top Ten Animals With the Toughest Skin.Discover the 6,000lb Woolly Rhinoceros With a Deadly 5ft Horn.Are Rhinos Extinct: The Conservation Status of Every Rhino Species.Their weight is similar to the Javan rhinoceros in Asia. On average, black rhinos weigh less than half the size of the other African rhino species, the white rhino. Despite its name, the black rhinoceros is actually fairly light in color with most black rhinoceros individuals having either white or grey skin. The black rhinoceros (also known as the hook-lipped rhinoceros) is a large species of rhinoceros native to Africa. The black rhino is one of three rhinoceros species that has two horns (in addition to the white and Sumatran rhinos). Diceros is derived from Greek and means “two horned.” Bicornis once again means “two horned,” but is Latin. The scientific name for the black rhino is Diceros bicornis. While black rhino populations are rebounding, the Western black rhino subspecies was declared extinct in 2011.The San Diego Zoo reports the black rhino can hit 40 miles per hour (64 km/hr), making it one of the fastest large animals on Earth!.Although critically endangered, black rhino populations have rebounded since hitting a low of just an estimated 2,475 individuals in 1993.Today, the black rhino is seeing its population rebound and is slowly being reintroduced to countries and environments the species vanished from in recent decades. The black rhino once roamed across a vast range in Africa, but heavy poaching has brought the species to the brink of extinction. With a population that numbered one million at the beginning of the 20th century, today the black rhino is Critically Endangered ![]()
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