Southern White Rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum simum

Near
Threatened

White rhinos aren’t actually named for their color. The name is a misinterpretation of the Afrikaans dialect referring to the “wide” mouth of this grazing animal.

Despite having large eyes, rhinos don’t have very strong vision. Rhinos can’t see very well beyond 90 feet away unless it’s moving. Rhinos have a great sense of smell, though. They can use this sense of smell to find food — and danger — in the wild.

Diet:
Rhinos are grazing herbivores eating primarily grasses.
Habitat:
Grasslands and savannas of southern Africa.

Create Connections. Inspire Action. Impact Conservation.

Rhinos have declined considerably in the wild due to poaching for their horns. Riverbanks’ Satch Krantz Conservation Fund has supported anti-poaching efforts with grants to the International Rhino Foundation.

Kande is our older female rhino at Riverbanks.

Meet our rhinos during a Riverbanks Backstage Encounter.

You can see Kande acting protective of Winnie and setting boundaries for Bill in our rhino yard.