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Black Rhinoceros

There are five species of rhinoceros—some live in the Far East, some in India. They are all large and very powerful, but most of them are pretty shy. It’s Africa’s black rhinoceros that has earned the most fearsome reputation. Black rhinos have two horns and very thick hides, and they can weigh as much as 3,000 pounds (1,370 kg). They have poor eyesight, smaller- than-average brains, and aggressive personalities. Fortunately, even ill-tempered black rhinos tend to be solitary, and attacks on humans are not very common. The most likely way you’d get into trouble with a rhino is if a female thinks you intend to harm her young in some way. Rhinos only reproduce every 2.5 to 5 years, and they only have one baby at a time. Mothers are extremely protective, and they won’t hesitate to charge a person, a jeep, or another rhino if they sense a threat. Scientific Name: Diceros bicornis Range: Southern and eastern Africa Diet: Plants Life Span: 40–50 years IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered

At South Africa’s Mountain Zebra National Park in 2012, a warden stumbled upon a female rhino who had just given birth. The rhino gored the warden, who ended up in the hospital with chest and stomach injuries.

The Ultimate Book of Dangerous Animals

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