![]() ![]() This helps shape the African landscape by reducing competition and keeping different species of plants in balance. As large vegetarians, rhinos eat up to 30 kilograms of plant matter per day. They indulge in an activity called “wallowing,” rolling around and lounging in shallow pools of mud to keep themselves cool and protect their skin from the sun and insects.īlack rhinoceros play a vital role in their ecosystems, not only helping other animals, but local humans too. By 1995, though, their numbers had declined by as much as 96% and their range had shrunk to just a few countries on the east and west coasts of southern Africa.īecause the temperatures in their habitats can get quite high, rhinos limit their movement to stay comfortable. Historically, black rhinos could be found across the entirety of sub-Saharan Africa, with more than one million individuals roaming the land at the beginning of the 20th century. It is said that Dutch settlers referred to the white rhinoceros as having a wijde (wide) lip, but the English misheard this as “white.” Believing that square-lipped rhinos were known as white rhinos, they called the other species black rhinos. Their names don’t come from the colour of their skin, but instead, a supposed misunderstanding. Their distinguishing feature is not their skin, but rather the shape of their lips: black rhinos have pointed lips, while white rhinos have square ones. Despite their names, black rhinos aren’t black and white rhinos aren’t white-both species are actually grey. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |