All the rhino images used in the post come from various reserves that I have visited dating back to 2020.
None of the images are geo-tagged, and none of the lodges where the sightings occurred are identified.
Using urine and middens, rhino bulls can communicate a vast amount of information to other bulls in the area.
Kicking up dust ‘amplifies’ the scent marking.
Just browsing, thanks…
The name “rhinoceros’, literally means “nose horn” in Greek.
Javan and Indian rhinos have one horn, whereas the white, black and Sumatran rhinos have two.
But how BIG is a rhino?
Compared to the Blue Whale, the rhino is almost puny!
The whale can measure almost 31 m and weigh up to 200 tons, while the rhino is typically between 1,5 and 3m and only weighs 680kg!
My, what a big nostril you have.
All the better to smell you with.
Rhinos have poor eyesight, but their hearing and sense of smell make up for that.
Rhino horns are not made of bone, but of keratin, which is the same material found in human hair and fingernails.
As a result, the horn is not attached to its skull but is a compacted mass of hairs that continues to grow throughout the animal’s lifetime.
The horn has no medicinal properties despite certain cultures purporting that it can be utilized for everything from an aphrodisiac to a cure for cancer.
Although neither claim has ever been medically verified, the slaughter of these animals continues unabated.
In black and white…
The mud baths protect their skin from sunburn, insect bites and other parasites and maintain their skin’s moisture.
Do you know how the Rhino got its horn?
If not, sit back and let me tell you a tale…
A long time ago, when animals still spoke the language of the earth, Rhino was a very different creature. He had no horn on his nose and was known as Kifaru, the Gentle One. He spent his days wallowing in the mud and munching on the sweet grass of the African plains. He was strong and mighty, but he had one great weakness—he was forgetful!
Now, in those days, the animals of the land held a great festival every year, where each beast had to bring a special gift for Mother Earth. The one who gave the most precious offering would be granted a great blessing. Elephant brought a tusk as white as the full moon, Cheetah offered the speed of the wind, and Crocodile presented the ancient secrets of the river. But poor Rhino—he had forgotten all about the festival!
Panicking, he rushed around looking for something worthy to offer. He found a smooth, shiny stone near the river and thought, “Ah! This will do!” But when he arrived at the festival, the other animals laughed.
“A stone?” Hyena cackled. “Even Tortoise could find a better gift!”
Rhino was ashamed. He stomped away, feeling small despite his great size. He wandered into the forest, where he found the wise and ancient Baobab tree.
“Oh great Baobab,” Rhino sighed, “I am strong, but I am not wise. I have no gift to give, and now I am nothing but a fool.”
The Baobab rustled its leaves and whispered, “A gift is not measured by gold or beauty, but by what it teaches. Return to Mother Earth, and offer something from your heart.”
Rhino thought hard. Then, with a great snort, he pawed at the ground and scraped up the dust of the land, shaping it into a mighty horn upon his nose. He stood before the animals and bellowed, “I offer my strength and my protection to this land! Let this horn be a reminder that the earth must always be defended!”
The animals gasped. Mother Earth smiled and said, “Rhino, your gift is true. From this day forward, your horn shall mark you as the guardian of the wild.” And so, Rhino’s horn remained, a symbol of his strength, his duty, and his lesson learned.
And that, dear reader, is how the rhino came to wear his mighty horn.
To this day, he roams the land, guarding the plains and reminding all who see him that the greatest gifts are not those of wealth, but of wisdom and heart.
The White rhino has a tail similar to that of a pig.
But(t) you try to tell it that.
The hairs on white rhino tails are long and protrude outwards, acting as an effective tool for swatting away flies and other insects while it grazes in open grassland.
The original Bush OG.
Black rhinos are born to fight, not flee.
These are the gangsters of the bush and will hide and then tackle human intruders if given the opportunity.
If the White Rhino is the Cocker Spaniel of the plains, then the Black Rhino is an attack-trained Rottweiler. Not to be trifled with under any circumstances.
This rhino looks like it has just heard a Dad joke and it has to acknowledge it…
Bumbling off into the bush.
Travel is the proud winner of this prestigious award from the digital British lifestyle magazine Luxlife. The award is in the category Best Travel & Experiences Blog 2024 – South Africa.
See who have been guests since the inception of this YouTube channel. Click on the logo above.
Looking for something to read? Visit the Off the Shelf YouTube channel for interesting and up-to-date interviews and book reviews. Click on the logo above.
“Hard work never killed anybody, but why take a chance?”
Edgar Bergen
All images are the copyright property of
and may not be used without permission.
All images used in Travel & Things posts are edited using Ribbet software. To learn more about the product and what it offers both amateur and professional photographers, click on the logo above.
