Mammals
Black rhinoceros
Diceros bicornis
The black rhinoceros is one of the most threatened large herbivores on Earth. Despite its name its skin is grey; it differs from the white rhino by its pointed, prehensile upper lip, suited to pulling leaves and twigs from shrubs.
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In short
The black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) is a species with IUCN conservation status CR (Critically endangered). It lives in savanna, scrub and semi-desert, feeding by browsing shrubs. Animals in Black offers a fine-art portrait of it on a black background, available as a print on Hahnemühle paper: view the print.
Habitat & conservation
Where does the black rhinoceros live?
It lives in savanna, scrub and semi-desert, feeding by browsing shrubs. Solitary, with poor eyesight but excellent smell and hearing, it can charge without warning. Its two horns, made of keratin, are the reason for its slaughter.
Is the black rhinoceros endangered?
The IUCN Red List rates it Critically Endangered (CR): poaching for its horn cut it to about 2,300 individuals in the 1990s. Thanks to protection the population is now increasing (about 6,800 in 2024), but it remains CR because of the vast historical decline and ongoing poaching pressure.
Facts about the black rhinoceros
- It has a prehensile upper lip for browsing shrubs.
- The horn is made of keratin, the same substance as fingernails.
- After the 1990s collapse, the population has more than doubled.
Data source: IUCN Red List — Diceros bicornis (Critically Endangered) · African Rhino Specialist Group (2024)
RED List
Conservation status codes
- EX Extinct No individuals survive.
- EW Extinct in the wild Survives only in captivity.
- CR Critically endangered Extremely high risk of extinction.
- EN Endangered Very high risk of extinction.
- VU Vulnerable High risk of extinction.
- NT Near threatened Likely to become threatened soon.
- LC Least concern Low risk of extinction.
- DD Data deficient Not enough data to assess.
- NE Not evaluated Not yet assessed by the IUCN.