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How to Tell the Difference Between Black and White Rhino

On an African Safari, each person makes a personal list of the dream animals they wish to see, and the rhinoceros is usually on it. Seeing a rhino in the wild for the first time is a moment you’ll never forget. The fact that you even caught a glimpse of one of the most charismatic and endangered African mammals will make you feel honored and humbled. After all, there are less than 7,000 black rhinos (estimates at around 6,400 in 2024) left in the wild and less than 17,000 white rhinos.  So you’ve just seen one of the last 24,000 wild African rhinos, but which one was it? Was it a black rhino or was it a white rhino?

White Rhinoceros at Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa
You just saw your first rhino! But was it a Black Rhino or a White Rhino?

Hint: It is not the color of their skin that differentiates them. They are both grey.

The main difference between a black and a white rhino is the shape of their mouths. So if you see a rhino butt, you should wait patiently until it is facing you before driving on. Watching its behavior may give you some clues but if you want a definitive answer you need a good look at the head.

Now that you can see his face, take a look at the mouth. Are the lips wide and square or is the top lip pointy and hooked?

Black rhino vs white rhino head
How to Tell the Difference Between a Black Rhino and a White Rhino by looking at their heads

Black rhinos have a pointy prehensile upper lip that enables them to browse selectively. The lip acts somewhat like a finger for manipulating bark and twigs, but it uses its molars to take big bites and to chew woody growth or fibrous plants. White rhinos, on the other hand, have square lips and a wide flat mouth that is adapted to grazing on grass.  In fact, many believe the name White Rhino is really a mis-translation of what early dutch settlers used to call it: the Wide Rhino (or wijd in dutch). There really is very little difference in color between the black and white rhino, so if you’re having trouble remembering which is which, think of it as the wide-mouthed rhino instead of the white rhino!

Differences Between a Black Rhino And a White Rhino

(scroll sideways to see all content in table)

TraitWhite RhinocerosBlack Rhinoceros
Other Names
square-lipped rhinoceroshooked-lip rhinoceros
Weight
4,000-6,000 lbs1,700-3,000 lbs
Height at shoulder
 5′-6′4.5′-5.5′
 Length12′-15′10′-12.5′
 Head Postureholds downward so mouth is close groundholds forward for browsing trees
Head Shapebigger head, longer forehead, larger neck, larger ears, pronounced humpsmaller ears, shorter forehead, less pronounced hump
BehaviorLess aggressive, a gentle giantshy, short tempered, more aggressive
 SocialSocial, sometimes found in groupsSolitary, although sometimes they are semi social
Tailsslightly longershorter
Body Builthips lower than their shoulders, resulting in a sloped shape to their backdipped backs
Habitatfound in open areas, such as plainsFound in thick vegetation
Mother-calf BehaviorCalf normally walks in front, mother uses her horn to direct the calf.Mother walks in front of the calf to clear the pathway.
Dietgrasswoody growth or fibrous plants

Black Rhino vs White Rhino, Field Identification

When searching for rhinos in the large national parks of Southern Africa, you are far more likely to see White Rhinos than Black Rhinos. This is due to two main reasons: quantity and behavior. First of all, there are far more White Rhinos left than Black Rhino (roughly seven to one).  Secondly, and more importantly, Black Rhinos behave quite differently from White Rhino. The Black Rhino is a secretive, solitary creature that spends a lot of time in dense undergrowth, browsing the twigs and bark from small trees and shrubs. The White Rhino tends to be a bit more sociable so it is found in larger groups, and because it eats grass you are more likely to see it out in open spaces.

Therefore, when I spot a rhino, I tend to assume it is a White Rhino unless I get a good look at the lip and can prove it is a Black Rhino.

A black rhino and a white rhino photo showing body shape differences
How to Identify a Black rhino vs white rhino from the side
White rhino vs black rhino skull
Rhinoceros Skulls: White Rhino skull on left, Black Rhino on right.
Hluhluwe Game Reserve, South Africa

Where To See White Rhinos and Black Rhinos in the Wild

Although both Black and White Rhinos can be found at many national parks and private reserves across southern and western Africa, many no longer advertise that fact due to increased threats from poaching. In fact, the rhino poaching crisis is now reaching horrifying levels. Yet many national parks still proudly boast of their rhino numbers in hopes that more people will get out and see them and appreciate them for the spectacular creatures that they are. People who learn to love rhinos are far more likely to help preserve these endangered animals and keep them around for generations to come. You may also notice that many national parks no longer list rhino sightings on their daily sightings boards so as not to advertise the specific locations of rhinos. Just get out there and keep your eyes open!

Personally we’ve had our best luck seeing Black Rhinos in Namibia’s Etosha National Park, especially at night the Okaukuejo Waterhole adjoining the Okaukuejo rest camp. Here are some other suggestions of places where you can watch both White Rhinoceros and Black Rhinoceros.

National Parks and reserves where you are likely to see both Black Rhinos and White Rhinos:

South Africa

  • Kruger National Park
  • Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve
  • Pilanesberg National Park
  • UMkhuze Game Reserve

Namibia

  • Etosha National Park
  • Desert Rhino Camp (Black Rhino only)

Swaziland

  • Hlane Royal National Park

Kenya

  • Lake Nakuru National Park
  • Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
  • Ol Pejeta Conservancy (the only place to see the critically endangered Northern White Rhino)
baby white rhino calf walking in front of its mother, south africa
White Rhino calves tend to walk in front of their mothers who gently guide them with their horn. Black Rhino calves tend to walk behind mom.

When on safari, you might only have a short window of time to identify a rhino. Look at the mouth, quick! After that, the other identifiable traits will be easy to recognize.

Have you seen a wild rhino? Did you manage to identify it? Tell us in the comments! (to keep them safe, keep your sighting location very general, and if it was at a private game reserve, please do not disclose the location)

Hal Brindley at the Antarctic Circle

Hal Brindley

Brindley is an American conservation biologist, wildlife photographer, filmmaker, writer, and illustrator living in Asheville, NC. He studied black-footed cats in Namibia for his master’s research, has traveled to all seven continents, and loves native plant gardening. See more of his work at Travel for Wildlife, Truly Wild, Our Wild Yard, & Naturalist Studio.

Lynance Mverechena

Wednesday 11th of October 2017

Very informative and well written. But you also failed to mention that rhinos can be found in Zimbabwe. Am referring to your list where you can find them in game reserves. Other than that,you really know your rhinos. Please keep us posted on ways to combat rhino poaching.

Ama Menec

Thursday 24th of August 2017

This is terrifically useful information, thanks! I'm working on two Rhino sculptures for a British Zoo, for life sized White and Black Rhino heads and wondered if you had any measurements for average head lengths? I've looked everywhere, and asked everyone, to no avail! I'd made my maquettes (scale models) with the white rhino quite a bit bigger, then thought I should pare it back, but looking at this information makes me wonder if it's OK after all?! It'd be great to know for sure. Very many thanks, Ama Menec Sculpture, Totnes, UK.

CAROL DAVENPORT

Saturday 20th of August 2016

That was very informative, Thank You.