The black rhino, scientifically known as Diceros bicornis, is an herbivore. This large African mammal subsists exclusively on plant matter. The animal is completely adapted, both anatomically and physiologically, to consume vegetation found in its native African habitats. This dietary classification places the black rhino at the second trophic level in its ecosystem.
What Defines a Herbivore
A herbivore is any animal that subsists on a diet predominantly or entirely made of plant material. Their digestive systems have specialized features, such as specific enzymes, to break down complex plant structures like cellulose. Herbivores are broadly categorized based on the types of plants they eat.
The three main feeding categories include grazers, which primarily consume grasses; frugivores, which specialize in fruits; and browsers, which feed on leaves, shoots, and woody vegetation. This distinction between grazing on low-lying grasses and browsing on taller shrubs and trees is fundamental to understanding specialized herbivores. The black rhino fits squarely into one of these plant-eating subcategories.
The Black Rhino’s Browsing Diet
The black rhinoceros is specifically known as a browser, meaning its diet focuses on the leaves, shoots, and twigs of trees and shrubs. This selective feeding habit is different from non-selective grazing on open plains. Black rhinos consume a wide variety of plant species, including woody twigs, thorny bushes, and fruits.
The most notable physical adaptation for this diet is its prehensile upper lip, which is pointed and hooked. This specialized lip acts like a muscular finger, allowing the rhino to grasp branches and pluck leaves or fruit with precision. This feeding method allows the animal to strip bark, break branches, and reach higher foliage.
Black Rhino vs. White Rhino Feeding Habits
The two major African rhino species, the black rhino (Diceros bicornis) and the white rhino (Ceratotherium simum), are both herbivores but occupy different ecological niches due to their feeding habits. The black rhino is a browser, adapted for stripping foliage from woody plants in dense bushland and thicket habitats. Its pointed, prehensile lip is perfectly suited for this selective foraging.
In contrast, the white rhino is a grazer that feeds almost exclusively on grasses found on open savannas. This difference is reflected in the white rhino’s mouth, which features a wide, square lip that functions like a lawnmower, allowing it to efficiently crop large amounts of grass close to the ground. The distinct lip shapes and corresponding diets explain why the black rhino holds its head high to reach branches, while the white rhino keeps its head low for grazing.