Southern White Rhino: The Social Crasher

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Speaker 1: Hi, I'm Ebony Money and I'm Rick Schwartz. Welcome to Amazing Wildlife, where we explore unique stories of wildlife from around the world and uncover fascinating animal facts. This podcast is a production of High Heart Radio and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, in international nonprofit conservation organization behind the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. Today, we're talking about the second largest land mammal on the planet, the white rhinoceros. In our two part series, we will cover the two subspecies, the Southern white rhino and Northern white rhino. Today's focus is on the Southern waite rhino. We'll find out how they mark their territory, their affinity for mud, and their complex social structure. Will also answer some questions from one of our young listeners, Rick, Let's jump right into learning more about the Southern white rhino. I was surprised to learn that white rhinos are the second largest land mammals. I guess I hadn't really thought about it, but I'm sure many people are familiar and know that elephants are the largest land mammal. But I wonder just how many people would have guessed that the white rhino comes in second. Rick Just how big are white rhinos, the southern white rhinos in particular, Well, that's right, haven'ty. When it comes to the largest land mammals alive today, of course, elephants come in at number one, and our topic of the day, the white rhino is number two in this area. So to answer the question just how big are they? Well, here they are by the numbers. When we look at the nose to rump measurement, also known as their length, the white rhino is the longest of the rhinos, coming in around twelve to fourteen feet on average, it's about four meters. And when we look at their height, well, with animals standing on all fours, we measure at the shoulder. And again when it comes to rhinos, the white rhino is the tallest, measuring on average about six feet at the shoulder or one point eight meters. And the last measurement, of course, pounds per pound. Well, there's no beating the white rhino, unless, of course, you are an elephant. But the male white rhino can weigh in on average abound five thousand pounds or right about two thousand three and the female about a thousand pounds. Last coming in around four thousand pounds or about one thousand, eight hundred ms. Wow, that's been exactly the second biggest of that. Yes, So what about its name? Is the Southern white rhino? White? I mean, I'm pretty sure I know the answer, But where does the name come from? Well, eviny. Interestingly enough, the history of their name does not come from their true coloration. I mean, after all, white rhinos, black rhinos found across Africa, they're all both kind of the same color of gray. The majority of people seem to agree that their common name comes from the miscommunication of a translation between languages. It is believed that the word for wide, used by Dutch settlers in a reference to the wide lipped mouth of the white rhino, was misunderstood and mistranslated as white instead of wide. Now. Another theory on where their name came from is based in reference to handwritten records in a journal dating back to the late sixteen hundreds. In this journal that refers to the hunting of white rhinos, it is said that the rhino appeared to have enjoyed dust baths in calcium rich soil of a dry watering hole, giving the rhino a distinct white color ah interesting. So what about the southern portion of its name. Most Southern white rhinos live in South Africa? Is that where the name derives? Well, yes, but I mean it's all about location, location, location, right. The Southern white rhinos are found all around the southern countries of Africa, including South Africa, like you mentioned, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and others. It is worth noting that in efforts to safeguard populations, some have been introduced to wild conservation sites north of their traditional ranges too. Speaking of ranges, do seven white rhinos travel in herds or are they solitary? Well, Ebany, for those who haven't heard, it's all about the herd when it comes to white rhinos. White rhinos can live in small herds of just a few individuals, are up to as many as fourteen or more. Oh and here's a question for you, Ebany. Do you know the proper term for a group or heard of rhinos? I wish I did? I do not? All right, Well, this is a fun one. This is a fun one for everyone. The proper term is not heard. It's actually called or referred to as a crash of rhinos, and it's believed that comes from the fact that if you ever saw a group of rhinos running, they're kind of just crashing right through the savannah. There's not much that gets in their way because they're so big, and believe it or not, they can run up to thirty miles an hour. So it's some serious crashing. And that's the great thing about these podcasts. I truly learned something new each time. Excellent, that's exactly what we want to do, right, Yes, it's so what is the dynamic within the crash, as in like who's in charge, who takes care of the offspring, etcetera? Ah, yes, evany who's who in the herd or in this case the crash. Well, white rhinos have the most developed social structure of all species of rhinos. Rhino herds are mostly made of females, and although there usually is one or two that are considered more dominant within the group, they aren't really considered matriarchal like we see in the elephants. Of the social structure just isn't there in rhinos. As far as care for the young, each mother cares for their own offspring. But of course there is safety and numbers, so although there may not be a collective effort within the herd to raise the young together. The safety that the herd offers is very beneficial. And Rick I read that female white rhinos travel significantly farther than males. Is there any explanation for that? Well, it's true, Evan. While males tend to have smaller territories that they protect against other males, females have a larger territory that they will easily overlap with several different male territories. And the females do not patrol or maintain their territory borders like males do with their territories. So females having bigger territories that overlap with the males, well, it's very beneficial for the species at large. This allows the females to be more selective on who they mate with, and it offers up more genetic diversity in each hurt because it increases a possibility that not just one male will mate with each female in the hurt. So you mentioned patrolling in how the male Southern white rhinos have that added task of protecting their territories. How does this all play out? Oh, I beneve there have been some very interesting studies about this. So In general, it was understood that males have these smaller territories that they defend from other males. They use urine and their solid waste to mark their territories boundaries and work to chase off other males should they cross into their territory. But get this, Recent studies have also shown that males respond to vocalizations of other male white rhinos. So when rhinos vocalized, they can share information about their individual identity, what species they are, of course, social context age, and where they kind of rank if you will, in domination or their class. So a male white rhino that holds a territory will have a different vocalization from a male that is just passing through and does not hold the territory. So then those males that are protecting their territory from other males, well, they are more likely to ignore or be at least slow to respond to the vocalizations of a male that's just passing through, most likely because they don't pose a threat to wanting to overthrow or hold that territory, whereas a territory holding male may try to encroach and increase his territory on another male's space. So these calls require more immediate attention as far as those males are concerned and Ebony, Before you ask, I will just tell you right now, I have no idea what those calls sound like, so don't ask me to make them. And although our hearing can pick up on some of those grunts, winnie's growls, and moon like sounds that the white rhinos make, they also make a lot of sounds on an infrasonic level, meaning a wavelength of sound that our ears cannot hear. Okay, so you're off the huk there, Okay. Thanks. Unfortunately, from two thousand twelve to two thousand seventeen, the white rhinos population dropped about fift what's driving that decline? Yeah, unfortunately, Ebany. There was an increase in demand for rhino horn, and the quickest way for wildlife traffickers to get rhinal horn sadly to poach or kill the rhino and take its horn. So prior to there was some rhino poaching happening, but between seventeen, the number of rhinos lost to poachers was staggering. I can't imagine the demand for rhino horn's going up during this recent period. What's driving that demand? What are people doing? With them. Yeah, it does seem weird, doesn't And I don't completely understand it, but when we try to at least understand other people, it kind of gives us a clear pictures to what's going on. So believe it or not, many people believe rhinal horn trinkets and cups are great additions to their home, and others believe that when ground up into a powder and consumed or made into a paste put on topically, that it can cure a wide variety of ailments. And it's worth noting this is not just a problem in other parts of the world. Rhino horn items, from trinkets to pills are trafficked into the United States as well as other countries. And you know what, I think now would be a great time to add a myth busting fact to this episode. Rhinal horn is not medicinal or magical. In other words, it can't cure something. It's nothing more than keratin. It's a protein that is the same protein that makes up our hair and fingernails. That same protein makes up clubs and horns and other animals. And the true power of the rhino's horn only exists when it's on the rhino and the rhino can use it for what it's meant for defending itself, an important myth to debunk. So what are some of the white rhino's biggest threats in nature? Um, you mentioned trafficking. Interestingly enough, ebony poaching is in fact the biggest threat to them right now, and that is influenced by this demand for the rhino horn like we talked about now. Additionally, like other species, climate change is causing weather patterns to shift in length through droughts. This in turn causes a sudden change in habitats for them, making it more challenging for them to live in their traditional range. And as human populations grow, we also see the encroachment into rhino habitat as more resources are needed. What are some solutions to those problems, those threats. Yeah, honestly, ebany. One of the biggest rhino conservation impacts we have seen since the peak of rhino poaching between seventeen is the increased education and public awareness across the globe. International education campaigns that raised awareness about the plight of the rhino and the fact that their horns are no different than hair and fingernails and hoofs proved successful that coupled with government and non government groups coming together to create antipoaching units, the world saw a marked decrease in demand. Yeah, it was really great. And there are also efforts in place to better manage water and land us too, and when needed, white rhinos are being relocated to safer and more sustaining habitats. With continued efforts like this, we hope to see an upward trend in rhino populations. Yes, that's a wonderful lall. And in just a bit we'll have questions from a young listener. But first this Now it's time for the San Diego Zoom Minute, an opportunity for you to learn what's new at the Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. In recent years, researchers from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and Embryo Plus South Africa have performed successful ovum pickups known as op U procedures on female Southern white rhinos at the Nikia Khan Rhino Rescue Center. O p U is a non surgical method of electing eggs from a live animal. Reproductive options include artificial intimination, in vitro, fertilization and embryo transfer when working with Southern white rhinos. Did you know there are no known male Northern white rhinos alive after the world's last one, an ailing elderly rhino named Sudan, died. When reproductive techniques are perfected, scientists are working on plans for the Southern white rhino to serve as a surrogate for the Northern white rhino embryos. Today we've talked about the Southern white rhino and now we have questions from a young listener five and a half year old Elise wants to know our rhinos dangerous. Hello Elise, thanks for taking the time to ask about rhinos. I like that you started with asking if they are dangerous because a lot of times people think they can approach wildlife because then the animal no harm. But truth be told, animals like rhinoceros is can be very dangerous. Some species of rhino can weigh as much as a pickup truck, and they are very strong and faster than you think. Therefore, it's always best to view the rhinos and other wildlife at a safe and respectable distance. How does a rhinoceros but check their babies? Mother rhinos will protect our babies at least by using their hearing and sense of smell to avoid danger whenever possible. But if a predator should get too close to them, she will use her size, strength and a horn to fend off a predator. And if it is a white rhino, well, they tend to live in a herd, so they'll work together to protect the baby. How fast can I rhins? When? Well, looking at them a lease, they look pretty big and probably don't look like they are that fast. But get this, depending upon the species, most rhinos can reach speeds of thirty miles an hour, and honestly, that's a lot faster than humans can run. On average, we usually run anywhere from eight to ten miles an hour. And the fastest human who's trained a lot in the Olympics, well, he reached the top speed of twenty eight miles an hour during a short sprint. So as amazing as that is, it's still slower than a rhino. Why do you why a horns? Oh? I really like this question, at least because to us it just looks like a big pointy thing on their nose right, But for rhinos, their horns are a very useful tool. They will use it to fight other rhinos for territory, and as we talked about before, their horns are also good for offending off predators. They will also use their horns to gently nudge herd mats or use it even to help guide a baby along to Rhinos have also been seen using their horns to dig up roots and tubers to eat. Who would have guessed a rhinos horn would have so many uses if we had to take care of animal as big as less at least, I would say it is definitely harder than taking care of a pet you might have at home, like a dog or a cat like the person that comes to mind is how much food they eat every day. On average, a single white rhino can consume well over a hundred pounds of grass just in one day, and of course what goes in must come out, so there is a lot of clean up involved every day too. Then, of course we have to think about all the other aspects of work that goes into being a wildlife care specialist for a rhino, things like fresh water to drink and water to bathe in. That's a big bath. And we also need to consider all of the work that goes into maintaining a safe and appropriate habitat for them as well. So I guess it's fair to say it is kind of hard, because there is a lot that goes into taking care of a rhino. At least, I want to thank you for sending in your questions. I love hearing from our young listeners and for any other curious young listeners out there, we have an email address for you to send in your animal questions. If you have a question for the Amazing Wildlife team, please send an audio recording of your question to Wildlife at I heeart Media dot com and you might hear your question on the show. Thanks for listening. We hope you learned a lot about the Southern white rhino, and be sure to subscribe and tune into next week's episode, in which we'll bring you the story of the nearly extinct Northern white rhino. I'm Ebony Money and I'm Rick Schwartz. Thanks for listening. If you would like to find out more about San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, please visit sdz w A dot org. Amazing Wildlife is a production of I Heart Radio. Our producer is Nikia Swinton and our executive producer is Marcia de Peanut. Our audio engineer and editor is Sierra Spreen. For more shows from my Heart Radio, check out the I heart Radio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.