The Diceros bicornis, commonly known as the Black Rhinoceros, is a large herbivore native to eastern and southern Africa. These animals are browsers, meaning their diet primarily consists of vegetation from woody plants rather than grasses. This feeding strategy is distinct among large African herbivores and influences their behavior and habitat preferences.
Main Food Sources
The Black Rhinoceros’s diet primarily includes leafy plants, twigs, branches, shoots, and thorns from woody shrubs and small trees. They also supplement their diet with bark, fruits, and pods. While their diet can encompass a wide range of plant species, they often prefer a few key species, such as those from the Acacia genus and the Euphorbiaceae family. Black Rhinos select food based on quality rather than quantity, seeking vegetation with higher nutritional value, which ensures they obtain necessary nutrients.
Browsing Habits and Feeding Strategy
Black Rhinos possess a unique prehensile upper lip, pointed and hooked, allowing them to grasp and pull leaves, shoots, and small branches from woody plants. This specialized lip enables precise manipulation of vegetation, unlike the wide, square lips of grazing animals like the white rhinoceros. Their feeding often leaves distinct, angular marks on browsed vegetation, akin to pruning shears. Black Rhinos typically feed on forage between 0.5 and 2.0 meters above the ground. Their thick skin provides protection as they navigate and feed among thorny plants.
Dietary Variations by Season and Location
The Black Rhinoceros’s diet varies with seasonal availability and geographical location. During dry seasons, when succulent plants are scarce, rhinos may consume more fibrous or less preferred vegetation. Conversely, leafy species are favored during the wet season. The exact composition of their diet can vary substantially between different habitats, such as bushland in Tsavo National Park compared to the Masai Mara Reserve or ranches in Laikipia. This adaptability allows them to persist in diverse African landscapes.
Water Needs
Black Rhinos obtain some moisture from the plants they consume, but regular access to water sources is important for survival. They typically visit watering holes to drink during the evening or at night. In periods of drought or when consuming highly succulent plants, they can endure several days without drinking water. The availability of water sources, alongside mineral licks, plays a role in defining their home ranges and overall habitat suitability.