White Rhinoceros
Ceratherium simum
At Virginia Safari Park, our rhinoceroses are all southern white rhinos, which are native to Africa. They’re actually light gray in color, and the word “white” in their name derives from the Afrikaans word “weit,” which means “wide.” Southern white rhinos are characterized by their broad mouths that help them graze on short grasses.
In the Wild
Did you know that the white rhino is the second largest land mammal in the world? Most of the 20,0000 southern white rhinos can be found on private game reserves and other protected zones in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Namibia. Their social groups consist of as many as 14 rhinos, primarily females and their babies.
Learn What the Rhino Eats
Southern white rhinos use their flat, wide mouths to their advantage – the shape helps them eat shorter blades of grass than most other animals can consume. They can also digest plants that are toxic to other species.
Tour the Animal’s Habitat
During our special World Rhino Week encounters, you’ll get exclusive access to tour the rhino barn and see where these incredible animals spend their behind‑the‑scenes time. The rest of the year, rhino encounters take place at their yard, where you’ll have the chance to get up close and feed them during your scheduled experience.
QUICK FACTS
Conservation status: Near threatened
Number of white rhinos: 18,000
Speed of white rhinos: 31 mph
Lifespan of white rhinos: 40-50 years
Did You Know?
White rhinos can live for up to 50 years.
They don’t see well but their senses of smell and hearing are strong.
Adult males use piles of dung to define their one-square-mile territories.
Rhinos have almost no hair, except for their eyelashes, ears and ear tips.
CONSERVATION
In the wild, it is estimated that a rhino is poached every 15 hours. In 2011, the Virginia Safari Park joined other zoological facilities to save this amazing species. Since that time, we have had four successful calves and are expecting two more this fall. We provide ongoing financial support to the International Rhino Foundation and partner with the Zoological Association of America’s Southern White Rhino Animal Management Program.