White rhinoceros - Ecology & Habitat

Most complex social structure of all rhino species

White rhinos appear to require thick bush cover, relatively flat terrain, water for drinking and wallowing, and short grass for grazing. They primarily inhabit grassy savanna and woodlands interspersed with grassy clearings.

Social Structure
White rhinos are attributed to have the most complex social structure of all rhino species. Groups of up to 14 rhinos may be formed, notably females with calves. Adult males occupy territories of 1-3km², which they mark with vigorously scraped dung piles, whilst adult females have home ranges of 6-20km² or even larger, depending on habitat quality and population density.

Breeding females are prevented from leaving a dominant's male territory, which is marked and and patrolled by its owner on a regular basis. Males competing for a female may engage in serious conflict, using their horns to inflict wounds.

Life Cycle
Females reach sexual maturity between four and five years of age but do not reproduce until they reach 6 to 7 years. In contrast, males tend not to mate until they are between 10 and 12 years old. The rhinoceros can live up to 40 years.

Breeding
Breeding pairs may stay together for up to 20 days. Mating occurs throughout the year although peaks have been observed from October to December in South Africa and from February to June in East Africa. The gestation period is approximately 16 months with a period of two to three years between calves.

Diet
Ceratotherium is the only grazer of all rhino species, feeding almost exclusively on short grasses.