Black Rhinos Aren’t Black Posted 22 May 2007 ·
tags: animal, lincoln park zoo, nikon d80, photo, rhino
tags: animal, lincoln park zoo, nikon d80, photo, rhino
Not precisely. It’s keratin, which is the same material as hair and fingernails, but to say that a rhino’s horn is made of hair and secretions makes it sound like a glorified dreadlock.
More pointless rhino trivia? Ok, Black Rhinos got their name to distinguish them from White Rhinos, which aren’t white. It’s a false cognate of the Afrikaans word ‘weit’ which describes the White Rhino’s wide, square mouth. As opposed to the Black’s pointed, prehensile upper lip. So if it’s not a White Rhino, it must be Black. Obviously.
(Pointless rhino trivia comes directly from memory. You are welcome.)
No Matter. Try Again. Fail Again. Fail Better.
Pat-Man
28 May 2007, 20:02 #
Did you know that their “horns” are actually composed of thick, dense hair with a secretion over it?