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How Are Babies Made? Black rhinoceroses reproduce every two to two-and-a-half years. The gestation period is approximately five months. Calves are active at birth, and are known to remain dependent on their mothers for up to four years before going off on their own. Females reach sexual maturity between five and seven years, and males between seven and eight years.
What Do They Do? Black rhinoceroses spend most of their lives alone except for mating season and when raising young. They mark their territories by defecating on dung piles. Black rhinos also travel in small family groups. They usually remain within their home range and are active in the mornings and evenings eating, drinking, and moving. In the middle of the afternoon,the hottest part of the day, they sleep. In order to stay cool, these rhinos roll around in the mud. How Concerned Should We Be? The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has a "Red List" of species in global endangerment and has listed the Black Rhinoceros as "critically endangered." Their wild population, more than 4,000 individuals, is increasing slowly, but still endures major threats that include habitat loss due to agriculture and settlements, illegal poaching for the international rhino horn trade, and droughts due to climate change. In addition, political conflicts can delay conservation efforts and increase illegal poaching. What's Being Done? The black rhinoceros is listed on the CITES Appendix I, prohibiting international commercial trade in the species, and is also listed under the United States Endangered Species Act. Many remaining black rhinos are concentrated in fenced sanctuaries, conservation areas, and intensive protection zones where law enforcement effort can be most effective. In addition, monitoring of the species has led to information to guide biological management. Some conservation groups that focus on the black rhinoceros include the South African Development Community (SADC) Regional Program for Rhino Conservation, the SADC Rhino Management Group and the Southern African Rhino and Elephant Security Group. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has also made efforts to expand protected areas and improve security monitoring of the species.
Strong Gut of Black Rhinoceros Black Rhino Mating Rituals Black Rhino Marks Territory
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