The rhinoceros or commonly called the rhino, is one of the largest and heaviest land mammals present on Earth. They belong to the Order Perissodactyla, which means they are odd-toed. They are ungulates and presently are threatened species on the planet with only five extant species.
Black vs White Rhino
The main difference between Black and White Rhino lies in their physical appearance and geographical extent of habitat. Black Rhinos differ from White Rhinos in their size, head and face shape, shoulder hump, lips and horns. Black rhinos are found in comparatively smaller geographical areas than their counterpart, the White Rhinos.
Diceros bicornis is the scientific name of the heavy terrestrial mammal, the Black Rhinoceros. The Black Rhinoceros is a critically endangered species native to Africa. They are dark-skinned, heavy mammals with hook lips. Their head is smaller, resting on humpless shoulders. They have a smaller stature with a compactly build body.
Ceratotherium simum is the scientific name of the heavy terrestrial mammal, the White Rhinoceros. The White Rhinoceros, a nearly endangered species, are also native to Africa. They are also dark-skinned however are often found bathed in mud that dries of in their skin to give a white appearance. They are heavier, have larger heads that rest on humped shoulders. They have a larger stature with a square-shaped lip.
Comparison Table Between Black and White Rhino
What is Black Rhino?
A Black Rhino or Diceros bicornis is a subtype of the rhinoceros species. It is a large land mammal and is a herbivore. It has a dark greyish skin colour and a very thick armour-like skin which is almost inflexible.
It naturally feeds on twigs and leaves of bushes and hence holds its head high above the ground. The head is smaller and the shoulder hump supporting the head is thus smaller. The heads bear two closely sets of small ears, eyes, pointed hook-shaped lips. The hooked shaped lips help them in pulling their food from the plants.
They flaunt two horns on their head of almost equal length, which are a target for poachers. Their foot tracks are narrower but longer than the White Rhino. Black Rhinos also tend to be very protective of their children and take care of them for longer periods than White Rhinos.
It is very heavy (800-1400kg) and usually long-lived (40 years) animals. The only terrestrial animal heavier to is the elephant. They are naturally more curious and aggressive and live alone. They are a critically endangered species, with only around 5000 of them alive today in their natural tropical and sub-tropical grassland habitats of Africa.
What is White Rhino?
A White Rhino or Ceratotherium simum is a subtype of the rhinoceros species. It is a larger mammal and is also a herbivore. It has dark greyish skin that is camouflaged with the mud it bathes in, giving it a whitish appearance. The skin is thick but comparatively loosely covering the body than the Black Rhino.
IT naturally feeds on ground grass, due to which its head is always hanging down. To support this head, it has a large shoulder hump. The head is longer and narrower than a Black Rhino. The head bears two largely spaced narrow pointed ears, eyes, square-shaped lips. The shape of the lips aids the animals in their grazing habit.
They flaunt two horns on their head. The front horn is longer than the one behind it. These horns are an attraction for poachers. Their foot tracks are broader and smaller than Black Rhinos. White Rhinos tend to be very protective of their young, only up till a certain point, after which they leave them to survive on their own.
They are a nearly threatened species, with around 17000 of them found in the wild. They are very heavy and even surpass the weight of the Black Rhino. They are more sociable animals and show less aggression to other beings. They are found in the grassland and savannas of Africa.
Main Differences Between Black and White Rhino
- Black Rhinos are smaller and lighter than their larger and heavier relative, the White Rhino.
- Black Rhinos have smaller heads and humps due to their browsing habits, while White Rhinos have larger heads and humps due to their ground grazing habits.
- The lips of a Black Rhino is shaped like a hook, while that of a White Rhino is broader and square-shaped.
- Black Rhinos have two horns on their head, but their second horn is much longer than the second horn of a White rhino.
- Black Rhinos feed on twigs, leaves, branches, grass etc. Because of which their dung has a mixed brownish colour, while the dung of grass eating White Rhino is black, is due to the high melanin in the grass.
- Black Rhino is rarer than White Rhino.
- Black Rhino are found to a lesser geographical extent in comparison to the widely distributed White Rhino.
Conclusion
Although both the species are found in Africa, there exist key differences to tell them apart. Black Rhinos do not have any subspecies. White Rhinos also have two subspecies in Africa, one of which has only two individuals left.
Due to their high demands for horns in the black-market ivory horn industry, these large animals, despite being aggressive and large, are frequently attacked and killed for their horns. Proper conservation techniques must be taken and improved the threatened status species.
For proper research and study purposes, the differences between the two species must be carefully observed. The main focus of distinction must be their body posture, lips, horns and body size.
References
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=ypIhM5Dqh10C&oi=fnd&pg=PA32&dq=black+rhino&ots=MgpnWmsJM_&sig=AdmIqIPLP57V50y-FSNtNO7FDHk
- http://www.rhinoresourcecenter.com/pdf_files/127/1275004167.pdf