#WEST AFRICAN BLACK RHINOCEROS FULL#

Western black rhinos formed symbiotic relationships with local birds - meaning, both parties benefited from the alliance. Black rhinos have hooked lips (as opposed to flat), giving them an advantage for separating leaves from branches.

The main difference can be seen in the rhino’s lip. It can be tricky to distinguish between the two unless you know where to look.

Interestingly enough, black rhinos are not black - just like white rhinos aren’t white. As compensation, nature armed it with extraordinary hearing and an acute sense of smell. However, when it came to detecting danger from a distance, the animal could not rely on its sight. Within its short visual reach, any sudden movements could easily frighten it. Like all rhinos, the West African black rhino was terribly nearsighted. But they most certainly did, which is why you’d often see rhinos playfully rolling in the mud. Speaking of thick skin, you’d think this animal would have never had to worry about getting sunburnt.

#WEST AFRICAN BLACK RHINOCEROS FULL#

When rhinos get up to full speed, they run on their toes! Unlike most thick-skinned giants (i.e.,elephants, hippos), rhinos have only 3 toes instead of 4. Only the white and black rhinos have 2 horns, while the remaining species have just one. The horns are made up of keratin, which is the same protein found in hair and nails. Average measurements for the rhino were:įront horn (longest of the two) - up to 4.5 ft longĬalves were born without horns, but these developed over time. West African black rhinos were the third largest out of the 5 rhino species (white, Indian, black, Javan, and Sumatran). I’m sure you know someone who’s about 6 ft tall - keep that height in mind when you imagine this animals’ size. Since pictures never do justice, it’s hard to imagine just how big the western black rhino was. Fortunately, Man had the opportunity to live amongst this creature long enough to observe and document it. The beastly beauty graced our planet for about 55 million years. Despite several conservation efforts, it was simply “too little, too late.” Only 10 years ago (2011), the West African black rhinoceros was declared officially extinct by the ICUN. For many of us, this particular extinction hits too close to home.

West african black rhinoceros