When you think of the world’s largest land animals, the rhinoceros or the rhinos are sure to find a place on the list.The size and weight of these giant mammals differ according to the rhino species. However, adult rhino’s weight ranges from 1500 lbs (700 kg) to 5000 lbs( 2400 kg).Rhino species are primarily found in the continents of Africa and Asia. The typical habitat of rhinos includes tropical and subtropical grasslands, tropical forests, savannas, tropical moist forests, and shrublands. There are mainly five species of rhinoceros.The Asian rhinos include the Sumatran rhinos, Indian rhinos, and Javan rhinos. The most common rhino species in Africa are black rhinos and white rhinos. Of these, the Javan rhino, Sumatran rhino, and black rhino are critically endangered, according to the IUCN. Interestingly, black rhinos and white rhinos are not named after their color. The fact is, both the species are gray. They differ in the shape of their lips. Black rhinos have pointed upper lips, while white rhinos have a wide squared lip.Curious to know about the diet of these incredible animals? Read ahead to know what do rhinos eat? Also, check out our fun facts articles on what do frogs eat? And what do iguanas eat?What do black rhinos eat?The rhinos are herbivorous animals. The animal takes in a substantial quantity of plant matter to support its enormous body. Rhinos feed on plant matter such as leaves, fruits, shoots, grass, berries, twigs, roots, and barks and branches of trees. Rhinos do not consume meat or animal food.All rhinos are not the same. The kind of food that the rhino seeks depends on the species. The black rhino is primarily found in eastern Africa, where calorie-rich plant food is scarce. The pointed upper lip and other adaptations of the black rhino help it source its nutrition depending on the terrain. The black rhino’s diet consists of grass, fruits, plants, foliage, including small twigs from the branches of trees and shrubs in the wild. The black rhinoceros also digs up the ground using its horn to feed on edible roots.What do white rhinos eat?White rhino species are the largest of all rhinoceros species. The white rhinoceros is known to feed on grass continuously, throughout the day, and not at specific intervals. They are fast-eating animals that devour vast calories of food. They are considered good grazers. As they intake some moisture along with the grass, they can survive for several days without water.White rhinos are known for their wide squared lip. This distinctive feature influences its feeding habit quite a bit. Being squared-lipped helps the white rhino to graze and consume relatively small grass also. The absence of a pointed upper lip in the white rhinoceros does not allow them to feed on twigs or the roots from the ground. Hence, the white rhinos depend mainly on grass and short leaves for their food. Another amazing fact about the white rhino species is that they can also eat toxic wild plant varieties, thus keeping the other animals out of danger while grazing.Like several animals, including dogs, baby rhinos are coprophagic. The baby rhinos eat their mother’s poop till they are seven months old. The mother’s feces contains microorganisms, which help the baby rhino prepare to eat solid food.What do rhinos eat in captivity?Rhinos in the wild are fond of grazing, and their diet mainly includes plants, grass, foliage, fruits, and roots. Rhinos can even withstand the scarcity of water and can manage to survive for several days without water. However, the feeding habits of the rhinoceros are pretty different when the animal is in captivity.While in captivity in zoological gardens, the rhinoceros is fed mainly with soy and alfalfa. Even though rhinos can digest these foods, these foods do not make up for the natural diet of the rhinos in the wild. These foods impact the health of the rhinos in captivity. Significantly, the reproductive cycle of the mammal is disturbed by a type of estrogen present in soy. Hence the rhinos have a low reproductive rate, thanks to their soy diet while in captivity.The rhinos in zoos are also fed with a mixed diet, including hay, plants, rhino pellets, fruits such as apples, bananas, leaves, twigs, and vegetables. The caretakers must keep a close watch on the quantity of food fed to the animal according to age, sex, and the species of rhinoceros.Rhinos do not eat meat, nor do they kill or eat a human. It is us humans who pose a threat to the rhinos. The rhinos are hunted for their horns. Hence, many species of rhinoceros have become critically endangered. The animals are drugged, and their horns are removed. Though they do not eat humans, being aggressive animals, they charge humans when they feel threatened.When do rhinos eat?Most species of rhinos are diurnal. However, a few are nocturnal. The feeding time of the animal depends on the time the rhinos are active.Out of the five rhino species, the black rhinoceros ( Diceros bicornis) is diurnal primarily. Hence it is active during the day and eats during the day. However, it is known to be nocturnal and eats during the nights when there is a threat. The white rhino is also partly nocturnal and sometimes eats during the night.The Javan rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus) and the Indian rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) are primarily diurnal and feed daily. Indian rhinos also search for food in the early mornings, late afternoons, or nights to avoid the sun’s heat.The Sumatran rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis), the smallest of all rhinos, feeds before dawn and dusk. Sumatran rhinos are primarily active during the nights.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for what do rhinos eat? Then why not take a look at what do insects eat or white rhino facts?
When you think of the world’s largest land animals, the rhinoceros or the rhinos are sure to find a place on the list.
