Wildlife
Black rhinoceroses are about the same height at the shoulder as African buffalos. However, they are twice as heavy. Despite their weight, they are nimble on their feet, and can run at 50kph and make sharp turns at a gallop. Black rhinoceroses are the best known of the five living rhinoceros species, owing to their inquisitive and often aggressive nature towards other animals and to the high-profile conservation efforts that have stabilised and allowed partial recovery of populations in a number of countries.
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Sir David and the baby rhino
Sir David Attenborough in conversation with... a blind baby rhino.
Sir David Attenborough in conversation with... a blind baby rhino.
Flirty rhino failure
New night-time camera technology shows a male attempt and fail to woo a female.
New night-time camera technology shows a male attempt and fail to woo a female.
Secret rhino parties
New camera technology reveals that black rhinos are not as solitary as we once thought.
New camera technology reveals that black rhinos are not as solitary as we once thought.
Tracking rhinos
After a ten-hour search, Jonathan finally sees a wild black rhino.
After a ten-hour search, Jonathan finally sees a wild black rhino.
Rhino release
A black rhino is relocated to a protected area of Kenya.
Black rhinos were once the most numerous rhino species. Relentless hunting and land-clearing for settlement and agriculture has resulted in a dramatic decline, from several hundred thousand at the start of the 20th century, to fewer than 2,500 by the early 1990s. Between 1970 and 1992 alone, large scale poaching caused a 96% population collapse. Rhino horn is still used in traditional Chinese medicine and for ceremonial daggers in the Middle East. Civil unrest, coupled with the free-flow of weapons around Africa, also still have significant impact. However, following concerted conservation efforts, international trade measures and legislation, the population in December 2007 was estimated at 4,180.
Species range provided by WWF's Wildfinder.
The Black rhinoceros can be found in a number of locations including: Africa. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.
The following habitats are found across the Black rhinoceros distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Critically Endangered
Population trend: Increasing
Year assessed: 2008
Classified by: IUCN 3.1
The black rhinoceros or hook-lipped rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) is a species of rhinoceros, native to eastern and central Africa including Kenya, Tanzania, Cameroon, South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Angola. Although the rhinoceros is referred to as black, its colors vary from brown to gray.
The other African rhinoceros is the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum). The word "white" in the name "white rhinoceros" is a misinterpretation of the Afrikaans word wyd, itself derived from the Dutch word wijd for wide, referring to its square upper lip, as opposed to the pointed or hooked lip of the black rhinoceros. These species are now sometimes referred to as the square-lipped (for white) or hook-lipped (for black) rhinoceros.
The species overall is classified as critically endangered, and one subspecies, the western black rhinoceros, was declared extinct by the IUCN in 2011.
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Desert
Flooded grassland
Mediterranean forest
Mountain grassland
Tropical dry forest
Tropical grassland
Herbivorous
Polygynous
Active at birth
Viviparous