Southern White Rhinocerous Srónbheannach bán deisceartach

IIUCN status Near threatened

Habitat Southern Africa – grassland and open woodland with mud wallows

Diet Herbivore – grasses

The name ‘white’ rhino comes from the mispronunciation of the Afrikaans word for ‘wide’ and refers to their wide, flat mouth adapted for grazing. Thought to be extinct over 100 years ago due to hunting – their horns were used in traditional Far Eastern medicines and for Middle Eastern dagger handles, white rhinos have survived due to intense conservation
efforts. They have poor eyesight but acute senses of hearing and smell.

Did you know?
Take a look at the horns of Dublin Zoo’s Sam and Suki … they are not true horns but made up of matted keratin fibres similar to your hair and nails!