Southern white rhinoceros

A relatively secure rhino

Common Name		Southern white rhinoceros; Rhinocéros blanc du Sud(Fr); Rinoceronte(Sp)
Scientific Name		Ceratotherium simum simum
Habitat		Montane Grasslands and Shrublands
Location		Southern Africa
Status		IUCN: NT (Near Threatened) CITES: Appendix I
Population		About 14,538 individuals

Background

Information awaiting review.

In the face of colonization, the southern rhino subspecies suffered an earlier decline than either the black or northern white subspecies. It was almost extinct 100 years ago, with less than 100 individuals surviving, mainly in South Africa's Umfolozi Game Reserve. Thanks to successful conservation efforts during the past century, the southern white rhino is now relatively secure.

Physical Description

Size
The white rhino weighs 150-85 cm at the shoulder, and southern white rhinos, the heaviest of both subspecies, can weigh up to 4,000 kg.

Colour
White rhinos are slaty grey to yellowish brown in colour.

Habitat

Major habitat type
Montane Grasslands and Shrublands

Biogeographic realm
Afrotropical

Range States
South Africa, Botswana (re-introduced), Namibia (re-introduced), Swaziland (re-introduced), Zimbabwe(re-introduced), Kenya (introduced), Zambia (introduced), and Cote d’Ivoire (introduced)

Geographical Location
Southern Africa

Ecological Region
Central and Eastern Miombo Woodlands, Southern Rift Montane Woodlands, Namib-Karoo-Kaokoveld Deserts