Black Rhino

Have you been looking for a new best friend but find the thought of interacting with another human repulsive? Do you wish for something that is always super excited to see you and is like your personal hype man? Then visit my friends at PuppySpot.com! With a screened and vetted network of breeders, PuppySpot makes fetching a new best friend simple and enjoyable! Use promo code STCKYF for a free puppy!

Welcome to the next installment of Shit That Can Kill You Fridays!
This week STCKYF features the Black Rhino.

The black rhino is the closest thing in nature to real unicorns. The only difference being that the black rhino does not run across rainbows followed by a trail of glitter. No, these beasts of the Savannah move more lethargically and sans glitter. With no natural predators the black rhino strikes fear into the heart of all who fear it. Armed with a keratin horn, the same substance that makes up human hair and finger nails, the black rhino is always ready to throw down.

Unlike most terrestrial species, the black rhino does not have strong familial ties. The tie between mother and calf is strong, of course, otherwise life would be far more difficult for a calf. Adult rhinos form loose associations with other adults though they are typically thought to be solitary. They do not have specific territories that they defend, either. Instead black rhinos have a home range (about 40 square miles) that they wander at their leisure. One of the perks of being the baddest thing around, I guess. 

Male black rhinos are very aggressive and will charge anything they see as a threat. These threats are not always other animals or even people. Black rhinos have been observed charging trees and termite mounds. This is part of the reason why people think rhinos have such terrible eye sight. However, they have "relatively good" eyesight equivalent to that of a rabbit (hence the use of scare quotes). But when they do charge another animal, the results are fatal. Black rhinos have the highest rate of mortal combat in the animal kingdom. Half of all males and one third of all females die from combat related injuries.
Weighing in at 1700 - 3100 lbs, the black rhino could do plenty of harm even without its horn. Though due to an unfair distribution of bodily mounted weapons, the black rhino has not one, but two horns. Add their ability to run at speeds up to 35 mph, and you have what I would say is a tank. Do yourself a favor, and don't wind up on the business end of a black rhino. Or any end, for that matter.

Thought the black rhino is extremely dangerous, the likelihood you will ever encounter one dwindles every day. Black Rhinos are dying at more of an alarming rate that bees. Their numbers continue to drop as they are hunted by poachers who wish to harvest their horns or by people seeking to hunt "the most dangerous game". But don't worry, many charities are dedicated to helping the rhino's population numbers recover. I just hope that doesn't involve bringing them stateside...

Stay safe out there.
 


-- 
Charles R Mercer
Amateur Safari Enthusiast