Black Rhinoceros: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Giants of Africa · day 4 of 7

Five facts

1. A black rhino can run on its toes at up to 55 km/h.
2. Black rhinos are known for charging at anything they see as a threat. Some have even charged tree trunks and termite mounds.
3. A black rhino has a pointed, prehensile upper lip to grasp leaves and twigs. The white rhino has square, grass-cutting lips.
4. Black rhinos have powerful tube-shaped ears that rotate in all directions, to detect sound over vast distances.
5. A black rhino calf weighs about 35-50 kg at birth and can follow its mother after just three days.

The quiz

1. How fast can a black rhino run?

• Up to 5 km/h
• Up to 55 km/h (correct)
• Up to 25 km/h
• Up to 95 km/h

A black rhino can run on its toes at up to 55 km/h.

2. What have black rhinos been seen charging?

• Tree trunks and termite mounds (correct)
• Rivers and lakes
• Flowers and grass
• Birds and zebras

They charge at anything they see as a threat, and have even charged tree trunks and termite mounds.

3. What kind of lips does the black rhino have?

• Square and flat
• Thin and short
• Pointed and prehensile (correct)
• Split in two

A black rhino has a pointed, prehensile upper lip to grasp leaves and twigs. The white rhino has square, grass-cutting lips.

4. What shape are a black rhino's ears?

• Round and flat
• Folded and tiny
• Pointed like a cat's
• Tube-shaped (correct)

Black rhinos have powerful tube-shaped ears that rotate in all directions, to detect sound over vast distances.

5. After how long can a calf follow its mother?

• Just one hour
• Just three days (correct)
• Two months
• One year

A black rhino calf weighs about 35-50 kg at birth and can follow its mother after just three days.

More about the Black Rhinoceros

Same week

All lessons

Nature documentaries