white rhinoceros

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white rhinoceros

white rhinoceros

white rhinoceros

northern white rhinoceros

Two white rhinoceroses standing on dry grass surrounded by scattered green bushes and trees at Mkhaya, Swaziland.

Map showing the geographic ranges of the five living rhinoceros species across Africa and Asia. Orange areas in southern and eastern Africa represent black rhinoceros range, with purple areas for southern white rhinoceros. Pink highlights the Indian, or greater one-horned, rhinoceros range in northern India and Nepal. Red and green dots in Sumatra and Java indicate remaining strongholds for Sumatran and Javan rhinoceroses, respectively. A magenta dot in central Africa marks the last northern whi

Know the importance of maintaining genetic diversity during the breeding programs of endangered species in captivity

white rhinoceros

mammal

Also known as: Ceratotherium simum, square-lipped rhinoceros

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July 23, 2026

Quick Summary

white rhinoceros — white rhinoceros White rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), Mkuze Game Reserve, South Africa.

The white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) is a large mammal found in Africa, characterized by its broad, square muzzle adapted for grazing on short grasses. There are two recognized subspecies: the southern white rhinoceros (C. simum simum) and the northern white rhinoceros (C. simum cottoni).12

The southern white rhinoceros is the most populous subspecies, with numbers approaching 20,000 in recent years, making it a conservation success story. However, it is still classified as near-threatened due to ongoing poaching.13

In stark contrast, the northern white rhinoceros is critically endangered. The last known male died in 2018, leaving only two females. Conservation efforts are underway, including advanced reproductive technologies, to prevent the complete extinction of this subspecies.23

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Antwerp Zoo
…rare Père David’s deer and white rhinoceroses. The Antwerp Zoo is perhaps best known for its development of a special display technique for reptile exhibits. This technique involves the use of a cold barrier (i.e., a refrigerated zone), rather than iron bars or glass panels, as a means of containing…
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…rare Père David’s deer and white rhinoceroses. The Antwerp Zoo is perhaps best known for its development of a special display technique for reptile exhibits. This technique involves the use of a cold barrier (i.e., a refrigerated zone), rather than iron bars or glass panels, as a means of containing…
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conservation
Protecting species
The white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) historically had a smaller geographic range. Today its northern subspecies occurs only in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where it is very rare. The southern subspecies lives almost entirely in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Kenya. Together, they numbered under
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The white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) historically had a smaller geographic range. Today its northern subspecies occurs only in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where it is very rare. The southern subspecies lives almost entirely in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Kenya. Together, they numbered under
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northern white rhinoceros
…white rhinoceroses into two subspecies—the northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) and the southern white rhinoceros (C. simum simum)—but some, citing differences in comparative anatomy and DNA, suggest that the two groups are different species.
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…white rhinoceroses into two subspecies—the northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) and the southern white rhinoceros (C. simum simum)—but some, citing differences in comparative anatomy and DNA, suggest that the two groups are different species.
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southern white rhinoceros
Most researchers divide white rhinoceroses into two subspecies—the northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) and the southern white rhinoceros (C. simum simum)—although some report that comparative anatomy and DNA analysis suggest that the two groups may be different species. At the species level, the white rhinoceros is the…
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Most researchers divide white rhinoceroses into two subspecies—the northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) and the southern white rhinoceros (C. simum simum)—although some report that comparative anatomy and DNA analysis suggest that the two groups may be different species. At the species level, the white rhinoceros is the…
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rhinoceros
…the two largest rhinoceros species—the white, or square-lipped, rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), which some divide into two species (northern white rhinoceros [C. cottoni] and southern white rhinoceros [C. simum]), and the Indian, or greater one-horned, rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis). The white rhinoceros and the
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…the two largest rhinoceros species—the white, or square-lipped, rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), which some divide into two species (northern white rhinoceros [C. cottoni] and southern white rhinoceros [C. simum]), and the Indian, or greater one-horned, rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis). The white rhinoceros and the
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Umfolozi Game Reserve
…is the habitat of rare white rhinoceroses, as well as black rhinoceroses, assorted species of antelope, wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, and numerous birds.
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…is the habitat of rare white rhinoceroses, as well as black rhinoceroses, assorted species of antelope, wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, and numerous birds.
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