WEST AFRICAN BLACK RHINO

DESCRIPTION

• 800-1,400 kg
• Dark yellow brown, dark brown, or dark grey
• 2 horns, front horn is bigger
• Sometimes have a third horn
• Prehensile upper lip

BEHAVIORS

• Mostly solitary, but sometimes live in groups
• Mothers and daughters stay together
• Males will fight to the death for females
• Males will claim territory at 10-12 years old

PURPOSE IN ECOSYSTEM

• Knocked over trees in the grasslands
• Destroyed other dense brush
• Dug holes with their horns to wallow in
• Also gave frogs and insects a home

WHY ARE THEY EXTINCT?

• Hunted for sport
• Poached for their horns
• No conservation
• Too much leniency towards poachers
• None held in captivity