WHITE RHINOCEROSES

We only saw the White Rhinoceros on our safaris - a misnomer caused by a faulty translation from the dutch word meaning 'wide' - referring to the rhino's mouth. Their mouths are square-lipped for grazing, as opposed to the Black Rhinoceros who has a more pointed mouth for browsing - and who are noticeably smaller and more solitary than the White Rhinos.


As we approached a mud hole we apparently scared off its inhabitants - a female and calf who were being stalked by this huge male. Males can reach 8,000 pounds and stand over 6' at the shoulder.






Fortunately, we came across another crash (or herd) of rhinos - mostly adult females and an adolescent male and another huge bull, bringing up the rear.









These rhinos exhibited rather unusual behavior because they didn't wander away - they stayed with us for quite a while.










Here, the youngster is coming over to have a look at us. His mother was close behind but they didn't threaten us at all - it was just a friendly once-over.












This photo I call Baby Rhino, Mama Rhino and Papa Rhino.









Is this a face only a mother could love?









Upon closer examination of one of the females, I found this little Oxpecker (bird) hunting for ticks and other parasites .. everywhere!