Ceratotherium is the scientific genus name for the white rhinoceros, one of the largest terrestrial mammals. This genus includes the living white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) and several extinct fossil species. The name Ceratotherium derives from Greek words meaning “horn” and “beast.” It is one of the five living rhinoceros species found globally.
Physical Characteristics and Identification
The white rhinoceros stands approximately 1.5 to 1.8 meters (5 to 6 feet) tall at the shoulder. Adult males weigh between 1,800 and 2,500 kilograms (3,968 to 5,511 pounds), while females are slightly lighter, weighing 1,800 to 2,000 kilograms (3,968 to 4,409 pounds). This species has two horns on its snout, with the front horn often reaching 100 centimeters (39 inches) and sometimes over 150 centimeters (59 inches). A distinct muscular hump on its neck supports its large head, which is carried low to the ground.
A defining feature for identifying the white rhinoceros is its wide, square-shaped lip, which led to its alternative name, the “square-lipped rhinoceros.” This broad lip is a specialized adaptation for grazing on grasses, allowing it to efficiently graze. In contrast, the black rhinoceros has a pointed, prehensile lip, which it uses for browsing on leaves and twigs. Despite its common name, the white rhinoceros is not white; its skin color is slate gray or yellowish-brown.
Habitat and Behavior
White rhinoceroses inhabit tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas across Africa, often favoring flatlands with bushes and grassy openings. As grazers, their diet consists primarily of grasses, which they consume with a side-to-side head motion. They spend a significant portion of their day feeding, often half the day.
White rhinos are the most social of all rhinoceros species. Females and their young frequently form stable groups, sometimes referred to as “crashes,” which can include up to 14 individuals. Adult males tend to be more solitary and territorial, marking their boundaries with dung piles and urine sprays, and patrolling their areas regularly. Despite their formidable size, white rhinos have a more placid temperament compared to the black rhinoceros.
Subspecies and Conservation Status
The Ceratotherium simum species is divided into two subspecies: the Southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) and the Northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni). The Southern white rhinoceros, primarily found in Southern Africa, represents a conservation success story. Its population, once facing near extinction with fewer than 100 individuals in the late 19th century, has recovered significantly. As of late 2023, the wild population was estimated at 17,464 individuals, classifying it as “Near Threatened” by the IUCN Red List.
The Northern white rhinoceros is classified as “Critically Endangered” and considered functionally extinct in the wild. The last known male, Sudan, died in March 2018, leaving only two remaining females in captivity. Historically, this subspecies roamed parts of East and Central Africa, but its population has drastically declined due to poaching and habitat loss. The primary threat to both subspecies is poaching for their horns, which are illegally traded, predominantly in Asia.