Species profile
About the eastern black rhinoceros
Black rhinos once ranged widely across Tanzania but were devastated by poaching. Intensive protection and monitoring now safeguard small, highly valuable populations. A sighting is never guaranteed and should be treated with patience and respect.
Despite the name, black rhinos are grey. The species is distinguished from the white rhino by its pointed, grasping upper lip, which is adapted for browsing shrubs.
Life in the wild
Behavior & relationships
Behavior
Often solitary and most active in cooler hours. Uses regular paths, dung middens and scent marking to communicate and define ranges.
Social life
Adults are generally solitary; females maintain long bonds with calves, and neighbouring animals may tolerate overlapping ranges.
What makes it remarkable
Special features
Hooked upper lip, acute hearing and smell, and two keratin horns. Vision is comparatively limited.
