Help Newsletter, Port Lympne 9: 35įurther to our last report in Newsletter No.6. 1987 Port Lympne rhino and hoofstock report. At a gallop they can cover the ground at speed and can spin around within their own length. They appear heavy-footed when walking, but are extraordinarily agile when provoked. When in a hurry they move with a graceful trot, timed from a.vehicle as up to 28 km/h, and under stress ca. White rhinoceros walk slowly, their heads held close to the ground, their nostrils in close contact with it to the extent that, in sandy soil, the broad mouth may mark clearly in the spoor. When in a hurry they move with a graceful trot, timed from a vehicle as up to 28 km/h, and under stress canter and gallop at up to 40 km/h 1990 The mammals of the southern African subregion, new edition. Loxodonta africana and Elephas maximum, respectively 220. Owen-Smith (1988) gives mean masses for adult males of 50 kg for the elephants The elephants, rhinoceroses and hippopotamus are the most massive of all living land animals. Locomotion and bone strength in Ceratotherium simum. This is slightly above the maximum speed of 7.0 m/s recorded for butfalo (Syncerus cafferr) by Alexander, Langman & Jayes (1977), but well below the 11 m/s which they recorded. Other sequences (also of adults) show speeds up to 7.5 m/s. 1, tables 1-3įigure 1 shows an adult Ceratotherium galloping at 6.1 m/s. Journal of Zoology, London 227: 63-69, fig. 1992 Locomotion and bone strength of the white rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum. When galopping they can reach a speed of 45 km/h.Īlexander, R.McN.
Erfurt, Verein der Zooparkfreunde in Erfurt e.V., pp. 1998 Nashoernern auf der Spur: Leben und uberleben einer stark bedrohten Tierfamilie. It’s only when they develop into mature adults that they reach these speeds.Reference Base Notes for: Behaviour - Locomotion Rhinos can’t run at 50 km/h in their first year. However, they will be wobbly on their feet for the first few weeks and it will be another two months before the rhino eats more than its mother’s milk. There is no crawling for these mammals – newborn rhinos start to walk within their first hour of being in the world. White rhinos are also unable to swim, although they do sometimes bathe in the shallows of rivers. This could be seen as a form of protection, particularly if the rhinos are running from danger. Unlike black rhinos, white rhino calves usually run in front of their mothers. Carnage ensues when a white rhino runs straight into something else. Usually after a few strides the other animals (or vehicle) will quickly get out of the way. When a white rhino is annoyed or angry it may choose to charge. It takes a lot of effort to run this fast but it’s an incredible defense tactic. They can sprint at 50 km/h for short periods of time. White rhinos are the heaviest of the rhino species. So if you want to escape a charging rhino, the lake or river is probably the safest place to be. This species is also able to swim, although rhinos are not good swimmers their bulk and build isn’t very convenient for being in the water. Calves run behind their mothers – probably because they are struggling to keep up! And it’s running straight towards you… at 55 km/h! You won’t even have time to try and get out of the way.īlack rhinos are the fastest of the rhino species. Imagine 1400 kilograms of brawn, muscle and a pointed horn. Rhinos are the fastest of all the land mammals that weigh over 1000 kilograms. In comparison to other African giants, rhinos are much faster than hippos (30 km/h) and elephants (40 km/h). That makes them incredibly dangerous, because there is no warning and no chance of getting out of the way.
#RHINOCEROS SPEED FULL#
What’s most amazing about rhinos isn’t just how fast they can run, but how quickly they can reach top speed.ĭespite being built like tanks, they can switch from zero to full speed in just a few strides. Rapid Acceleration from a Tank-Like Build Here’s the full story on how fast a rhino can run. Black rhinos can run at 55 km/h (35 mph), the same speed as their Sumatran rhino cousins. They are the fastest mammals weighing over 1000 kilograms.Ī white rhino run can reach a speed of 50 km/h (31 mph).
#RHINOCEROS SPEED HOW TO#
Woah! Watch out! Get out of the way because here comes a rhino running at 55 km/h!įor such a big animal, rhinos really know how to run.