Rhino Time

Bellrhino.08 Earl Plato
We were on our second drive through the fenced African Lion Safari landscape on that bright sunny August afternoon. This time it was close-ups of the behemoth - the rhinoceros. This sunny day the rhino group rested. Only one huge beast separated himself from the small enclave. I learned that these White rhinos are gray coloured. How come “white”? Remember their native home is South Africa. Early Dutch settlers there called them “weit” rhinos. Why? It was in reference to its wide (weit) square muzzle adapted for grazing. Confusing, eh? Note these white rhinos have a pronounced hump on the neck and a long face. Two horns on all rhinos (white and black) and the bigger one sits at the front of he nose. It is that horn that is prized in Asia.. It is sought for uses in traditional medicine and ornamental carvings. Our safari rhinos are saved from that pursuit.
We were told the White rhino male is the larger of the two species - over two tons! Wow! Our big guy was over twenty years. Life span 35-40 years.
No charging at us. Their eyesight is poor which may explain why hese often ill-tempered animals will charge without apparent reason. Their sense of smell and hearing are very good. On both trips no sounds from them but we learned that they have an extended vocabulary of growls, grunts, squeaks, snorts and bellows. I can picture their charge - frightening. The white rhino lowers its head, snorts, breaks into a gallop reaching speeds of up to 30 miles an hour. Using its sharp horn it gores or strikes powerful blows with its both horns. The white rhino is very agile and can quickly turn in a small space. Would be hunters - leave him a alone.
Our White rhino was content to munch on the grass,