# Eastern black rhinoceros (*Diceros bicornis michaeli*) The Eastern black rhinoceros is a big, strong animal with two horns on its nose. It has thick skin and loves to munch on leaves and bushes in the wild. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 4/5 · High - **Habitat:** Savannas - **Also known as:** Black Rhino ![Eastern black rhinoceros](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Black_Rhinoceros_in_Sweetwater_Nat_Park_Kenya.jpg&width=800) Photo: Jan Arkesteijn, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Black_Rhinoceros_in_Sweetwater_Nat_Park_Kenya.jpg) ## Appearance The Eastern black rhinoceros has thick, dark grey to brownish-black skin and a stocky body supported by short, sturdy legs. It features two prominent horns and a distinguishing prehensile, pointed upper lip used for grasping leaves and twigs. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Perissodactyla - **Family:** Rhinocerotidae - **Genus:** Diceros ## Interesting facts - Each rhino has unique footprints, like human fingerprints! - Rhinos can communicate using over ten different sounds, from snorts to roars! - Rhinos love to wallow in mud, creating a protective sunscreen for their skin! - Their horns can grow over a meter long throughout their life! ## Special abilities - **Prehensile Lip Power:** Eastern black rhinoceros has a pointed upper lip that helps them expertly grasp and pluck leaves and twigs from thorny bushes. - **Super Sniffer:** Eastern black rhinoceros has an excellent sense of smell that helps them detect predators and other rhinos from far away. - **Armored Skin:** Eastern black rhinoceros has incredibly thick skin that helps them protect against sharp thorns and insect bites in dense bush. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 280-380 cm - **Weight:** 800-1400 kg - **Lifespan:** 35-50 years - **Speed:** 55 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 450-480 days ## Diet & Feeding They are plant-eaters that enjoy munching on leaves, twigs, and fruits from various shrubs and trees. - **Primary Foods:** Leaves, Twigs, Shoots, Fruits, Bark - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Symbiotic with:** Cattle Egret (*Bubulcus ibis*) — Eats parasites off their skin. - **Eaten by:** Lion (*Panthera leo*) — Lion prides occasionally hunt rhino calves. - **Eaten by:** [Spotted Hyena](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-hyena) (*Crocuta crocuta*) — Hyenas may target young rhino calves. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Horned](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/horned): Characterized by having one or more hard, permanent, pointed projections on the head. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Savanna](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/savanna): This habitat trait denotes species native to savannas, which are grasslands with scattered trees, typically found in tropical or subtropical regions with distinct wet and dry seasons. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 4/5 · High Always admire rhinos from a safe distance and never try to approach them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eastern black rhinoceros? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Eastern black rhinoceros? 280-380 cm ### How much does Eastern black rhinoceros weigh? 800-1400 kg ### How long does Eastern black rhinoceros live? 35-50 years ### How fast can Eastern black rhinoceros move? 55 km/h ### What does Eastern black rhinoceros eat? They are plant-eaters that enjoy munching on leaves, twigs, and fruits from various shrubs and trees. ### Where is Eastern black rhinoceros usually found? Savannas ### How does Eastern black rhinoceros hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Abilene Zoological Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/abilene-zoological-gardens) — Texas, US · Zoo - [Birmingham Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/birmingham-zoo) — Alabama, US · Zoo - [Blank Park Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/blank-park-zoo) — Iowa, US · Zoo - [Howletts Wild Animal Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/howletts-wild-animal-park) — England, GB · Zoo - [Lincoln Park Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lincoln-park-zoo) — Illinois, US · Zoo - [Baton Rouge Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/baton-rouge-zoo) — Louisiana, US · Zoo [View all places to see Eastern black rhinoceros](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eastern-black-rhinoceros) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Eastern black rhinoceros: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-black-rhinoceros)