White Rhino

Scientific Name: Ceratotherium simum simum

A rhino is often the color of the mud he wallowed in that day, so the name “white rhinoceros” is a bit of a misnomer.  On a rare day when he is completely clean and dry the white rhino is a light grey color.  The origin for the name is thought to be the South African Boer word “widt” meaning “wide” and referring to the size and shape of the grass eating head and (wide) mouth of the white rhino.  This is a distinct feature when compared to the black rhino, which has a hooked lip and browses trees and branches, and also lives in southern Africa. 

The white rhinos at the Conservation Center make a considerably positive impression with both our guests and staff.  The herd at White Oak thrives on the abundant grass in their spacious enclosure in the mild Florida climate and we have had a number of white rhino calves born here.  The matriarch females rule the roost as they move around their enclosure and graze, sun, and wallow in their mud bath.  They also perform their daily ritual deposits in a communal dung pile called a midden, which serves as a “signpost” to all other rhinos in the vicinity.

Breeding white rhinos in captivity is particularly challenging as they are social animals requiring open space for the groups of rhinos to thrive.  The social aspect is very important for raising calves which live with their family for 3-4 years before joining another herd to begin reproducing on their own.  The white rhino environment at White Oak has been conducive to these requirements and multiple generations of rhinos have been produced including 19 births thus far.

The conservation of the white rhino is an incredible success story.  Reduced by hunting to 100 animals at the turn of the 20th century, the South African wildlife authorities instituted a campaign to save the species called Operation Rhino.  In a few decades of intense management and protection the population of white rhinos rebounded and now numbers over 18,000 animals.  Most rhino species around the world are critically endangered due to the demand for the horn in Asian markets, however it is to the great credit of the South African and international rhino conservation community for saving this species.