Rhino Facts!

Check out our favorite fun facts about rhinos.

Black rhino head lifted.

Black rhino head lifted.

Credit: Steve and Ann Toon

1) White and black rhinos are actually the same colour

Despite the names, both species of African rhino have a grey skin colour.

Motorbike carrying leaves and branches.

Motorbike carrying leaves and branches.

Credit: Nick Garbutt Photography

2) Rhinos love plants

Rhinos are herbivores (plant-eaters) and have to eat a lot each day to be full.

White rhino with a very big horn

White rhino with a very big horn

Credit: Phil Perry

3) The name rhinoceros means ‘nose horn’

It comes from Ancient Greek words: rhino (nose), ceros (horn).

Close up image of a white rhino.

Close up image of a white rhino.

4) Only elephants are bigger than white rhinos

White rhinos are the second-largest land mammal in the world

Black rhino with lip lifted

Black rhino with lip lifted

Credit: Phil Perry.

5) Rhinos have small brains

Small but mighty!

White rhinos, Ol Jogi

White rhinos, Ol Jogi

6) A crash of rhinos

A group of rhinos is known as a herd, or a crash!

White rhino calf running

White rhino calf running

Credit: Steve and Ann Toon

7) Rhinos are speed machines!

Running at 30-40 miles per hour, be sure to move out of their way fast.

Black rhino cow and calf

Black rhino cow and calf

Credit: James Lewin Photography

8) Rhinos communicate by doing a poo!

Something a bit whiffy?! Rhinos use dung to share information with others nearby.

Baby Sumatran rhino who has been playing in the mud

Baby Sumatran rhino who has been playing in the mud

Credit: Dedi Candra

9) There was once an ancient woolly rhino

Today, the Sumatran rhino is its closest living relative.

Greater One Horned Rhino in water.

Greater One Horned Rhino in water.

Credit: Renaud Fulconis

10) Some rhinos can swim!

Greater one-horned rhinos can swim, and even dive underwater.

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