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