Family: Rhinocerotidae.
Also referred to as hook-lipped rhinoceros, the black rhino (Diceros bicornis) gets its name contrasting their “cousins”, the white rhinoceros or square lipped rhinoceros.
The black rhinoceros comes armed with two massive horns made of matted, hair-like filaments and are placed one behind the other with the front one often longer and sharper. They are heavily built and command respect amongst the other wildlife on land due to their massive size and strength. Even Africa’s apex predators have a second and third thought on attacking a fully grown black rhinoceros.
Four subspecies have scientifically been recognized while one is already extinct.
The surviving subspecies are:
Southwestern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis bicornis)
South Central black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis minor)
Eastern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli)
Despite the catastrophic decline in numbers of these mammals in the last four decades due to illegal poaching, the incidences have reduced in recent years. Conservation efforts have been put in place especially in Kenya where a healthy population can be seen.
East Africa is home to the Black rhinoceros, and we pride ourselves in being the host of these majestic mammals.