Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Perissodactyla
- Family
- Rhinocerotidae
- Genus
- Diceros
- Species
- Diceros bicornis
Habitat
This subspecies inhabits arid and semi-arid shrublands, savannas, and deserts in southwestern Africa, particularly in Namibia and southern Angola. They prefer areas with dense vegetation for cover and access to water sources, avoiding open grasslands. Terrain often includes rocky hills and thorny bushlands that provide both food and protection.
Diet
The South-western black rhinoceros is a browser, feeding primarily on leaves, twigs, and fruits from acacia trees, euphorbias, and other thorny shrubs. They spend several hours daily foraging, typically during the cooler morning and evening hours to avoid midday heat. Their feeding behavior involves using their prehensile lip to strip vegetation, consuming up to 50 kg of plant material per day.
Behavior
South-western black rhinoceroses are mostly solitary, with adult males defending territories of several square kilometers using vocalizations and charges. They are primarily active at dawn and dusk, resting during the hottest parts of the day in shaded areas. Mothers form temporary bonds with their calves, and males can be aggressive towards intruders, including other rhinos.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status of the South-western black rhinoceros is Critically Endangered, with population trends showing a slow increase due to intensive protection efforts. Major threats include poaching for horns and habitat loss from human expansion.