Ceratotherium simum simum

(Burchell, 1817)

Vernacular names
English : Southern White Rhinoceros
French : Rhinocéros blanc du sud

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Perissodactyla
Family : Rhinocerotidae
Notes : 1 other subspecies known.

Identification
Body length of 420 cm, shoulder height of 180 cm, weight up to 3500 kg. The biggest rhino species with a long rectangular head, square lips and two big horns. Coloration usually gray. This subspecies is the biggest.

Range and habitat
This subspecies occurs in most of southern Africa, from Angola and Zimbabwe to South Africa. The species also occurred in DR Congo. Lives in grasslands and savanna habitats.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NEAR THREATENED
CITES : Appendix I
Status : This subspecies was almost extinct during the XIXth century and recovered to the point of being the commonest rhino taxon in the wild. Lives mostly in protected areas.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America, EEP in Europe

Observation

 

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