Black Rhinoceros :: essays research papers

THEBLACKRHINOCEROSAn endangered speciesBy Prep ard for 4th Hour Language ArtsJanuary 2, 2001The black rhino or rhinos are a very unique animal of Africa. They are important for the balance of nature. They are a large stocky animal. Their size is 5 to 6 feet tall at the shoulder and 10 to 12 feet long. Their weight can range in from 1,000 to 3,000 pounds. Rhinos are naturally colourize in color but will often take on the color of the local soil. The horn of a rhino is not a true horn. It is not attached to the skull. It grows from the skin and is made up of ceratin fibers, the same materials found in hair and finger nails. Black rhinos project a prehensile lip that is used much like a finger to select and pick the leaves and twigs they prefer to eat. Their habitat is in the shaggy-coated plains, rugged hills, and scrublands in isolated areas of Central and South Africa. Rhinos are atrocious browsers that hinder woody plants from dominating their habitat. This is important becau se it allows grasses to grow, which provide food for many a(prenominal) other animals on the grassy plains. Black rhinos travel alone overleap while breeding or raising offspring. Juveniles remain with the mother until they are completely weaned, just before a new a mollycoddle is born.Young rhinos are occasionally prey for many items for large carnivores such(prenominal) as lions and hyenas. People of some cultures believe that rhino horns contain medicinal properties. This is most likely not true but is one of the special reasons rhinos are poached.