Mammals · Perissodactyla · Rhinocerotidae

White Rhinoceros

Ceratotherium simum

Near Threatened

It could become endangered in the near future if current threats go unchecked. See full glossary

The second largest land mammal after the elephant. Despite its name its skin is grey: 'white' comes from a mistranslation of 'wide', for its square mouth.

Weight

1.8 t – 2.7 t

Size

3.4 m – 4.2 m

Lifespan

40 years

Diet

Herbivore

Feeds mainly on plants.

Activity

Irregular activity

Active at irregular times, by day or night depending on circumstances.

Social structure

Family group

Lives in small family groups with close bonds.

Sighting difficulty

Moderate

Estimated population

Northern subspecies (Ceratotherium simum cottoni): only 2 females known to be alive

SavannaGrasslandBig Five Herbivore Variable activity Family group Near Threatened Savanna Grassland Mammal

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Fun facts

Its horn is made of keratin, the same protein as human fingernails.
It is more sociable than the black rhinoceros, and lives in small family groups.
Poaching for its horn remains its greatest threat.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (mammal)
Habitat & environment: Open savanna and grassland of eastern and southern Africa
Birth weight: 40 - 65 kg (average ~48.5 kg)
Size at birth: Unsteady on its feet for its first 2-3 days
Sexual maturity: Female: 4-7 years (first calf usually at 6-8) | Male: 10-12 years for full social maturity
Gestation / incubation: 16-18 months (490-550 days)
Litter / clutch size: 1 calf; 2.5-4 years between births
Lifespan in captivity: Documented record of 45-55 years in captivity

Sources consulted: AnAge (genomics.senescence.info); Animal Diversity Web; A-Z Animals; JungleDragon; SeaWorld/Busch Gardens; Journal of Zoology (Hillman-Smith 1986); PMC (reproductive performance study); Recuentos continentales de rinocerontes africanos 2023-2024 (African Rhino Specialist Group / International Rhino Foundation); IUCN Red List — los recuentos pasaron de unos 17.464 ejemplares a finales de 2023 a unos 15.752 en 2024, un descenso próximo al 11 % atribuido a la caza furtiva