Dubbo Western Plains Zoo

White Rhinoceros

Cerathotherium simum simum

There are five different types of Rhino in the world today. The White Rhino and Black Rhino, as seen at Dubbo Zoo, come from Africa. The Javan, Sumatran and Greater One-Horned Rhinos are found in Asia.

White Rhinos are not in fact white in colour. Their name comes from their "wide" upper lip, which in Africaans, is "weit".

As recently as 10,000 years ago, Rhinos also lived in North America and Europe. They were much larger. Paracceratherium, an extinct Rhino, may have been the largest land mammal ever to exist. It was up to 5 metres tall at the shoulder and weighed as much as a fully loaded bus. By comparison, the White Rhino is around 1.8 metres tall and Black Rhino around 1.5 metres.

Unlike the solitary Black Rhino, White Rhinos form complex families made up of females and calves. 2 tonne males duel with their horns for mating rights over females in the group.

White Rhinoceros with baby in background

In 1893 the White Rhino was thought to be extinct due to poaching and settlement by white people. A small group was found in South Africa and an international conservation program is now trying to save this gentle giant.

Photographs by Justin Sullivan. Some text courtesy of Dubbo Western Plains Zoo

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