WilsonRhino

Scientific Name: Ceratotherium simum Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Perissodactyla Family: Rhinocerotidae Genus: Ceratotherium Specie: Simum
 * History **


 * Average Life Span - 50 years **

Average Size -
** Weight: ** 4,000-6,000 lbs  (1,800 - 2,700 kg)  tall at shoulder ** Length: ** 12.5-15 feet (3.8 - 5m) length of head and body
 * Height: ** 5 – 6 feet (1.5 – 1.8 m)


 * Origin of the name - ** The word //rhinoceros// is derived from Greek, meaning //nose horn//, which is the most distinctive feature. The white rhinoceros derives its scientific name, Ceratotherium simum from the Greek cerato, meaning //horn//; thorium, meaning //wild beast// and simum meaning //flat nosed//. In fact, the white rhino isn’t white at all. The name "White Rhinoceros" is taken from the Afrikaans word describing its mouth: “weit”, meaning "wide". Early English settlers in South Africa misinterpreted the "weit" for "white".


 * World Wild Rhino Populations:**
 * > White ||> 11,670 ||
 * > Black ||> 3,610 ||
 * > Indian ||> 2,000 ||
 * > Sumatran ||> 300 ||
 * > Javan ||> 54-60 ||

**Habitat -** Found in grassland and open savanna woodlands, white rhinos prefer flat lands with bush for cover. They like grass for grazing and water for drinking/wallowing. Rhinos wallow to keep their skin cool (they don’t have sweat glands). Also, the dried mud prevents irritating mosquitoes and skin parasites. They can occasionally be found in swampy regions.

- Providing technical and financial support to facilitate the conservation of rhinos - Providing services for captive programs worldwide - Promotes involvement in local communities for rhino conservation - Supports applied research that helps detect problems affect rhino survival **For more information**, follow this link to there website: []
 * Protecting the White Rhinoceros **
 * International Rhino Foundation (IRF)** – Founded in 1989, their mission is dedicated to the survival of the world’s r hinoceros species through conservation and research. For more information, follow this link to their website. The IRF does a plethora of jobs to help all rhinoceroses such as:


 * Pressures that have led to White Rhinoceros Endangerment **
 * Hunting** is the main factor to the White Rhino’s endangerment. Uncontrolled and wasteful big game hunting took a heavy toll on all the rhino populations and other big game during the colonial. White Rhinoceroses were greatly hunted b ecause they have the largest horns out of any rhinoceros. In fact, mature rhinoceroses have two long horns (making them a magnet for hunters). Rhino horns have many uses but were first used as early as 618 A.D. to make ornamental drinking cups in China, which could detect poisons. Also, dagger handles made from rhinoceros horns have great cultural value for most African tribes because it is the gift you receive when you become a “man” (age 11).


 * Biodiversity** **loss** also contributed to the White Rhino’s endangerment because as farmers began to build settlements and g row crops. They would take away land from the Rhinoceroses and even eliminate them if they “trespassed” on the farmer’s property.

Citations:

1. "White rhinoceros." Arkive. Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, 2003. Web. 4 Oct.  2010. .

2. "White Rhinoceros." Honolulu Zoo. N.p., 2008. Web. 4 Oct. 2010.  .