Overview
Black Rhinoceros appears on the Exotic Wildlife Association species list as Rhinoceros (Black) — ESA: Endangered; CITES: Appendix I. [1]
Native range
Historically, Diceros bicornis has been distributed throughout Africa, south of the Sahara, with the exception of the Congo Basin. [2]
Size
800–1,400 kg (ADW range). [2]
Lifespan
35 years (wild, average); 49 years (captivity, average); 30 to 35 years (wild, typical). [2]
Breeding & gestation
Gestation average 15 months; offspring per birth: 1; females mature at 5 to 7 years. [2]
Temperament & social structure
Not verified from a primary source for this page.
Habitat needs
Black rhinoceroses live in various habitats that range from deserts to grasslands, both tropical and subtropical. ADW biomes: desert or dune, savanna or grassland, scrub forest. [2]
Where they thrive (Texas / US)
Not verified from a primary source for this page.
Space per animal
No verified species-specific stocking rate was found. Carrying capacity depends on rainfall, range condition and competing grazers—get a range/stocking assessment (NRCS or Texas A&M AgriLife).
Housing & shelter
Not verified from a primary source for this page.
Fencing
No primary-source fencing standard was verified for this species; get containment advice from an experienced keeper or veterinarian.
Natural diet
Black rhinos are browsers that feed on items such as twigs, woody shrubs, small trees, legumes, and grass. ADW diet type: herbivore, folivore, lignivore. [2]
Feed & supplementation
No verified species-specific diet formulation was found for this page; follow a veterinarian or nutritionist.
Common health issues & parasites
No verified species-specific health list for this page; consult a veterinarian experienced with this species.
Vet care & vaccination
No vaccines are labeled for this species in the US; any vaccination protocol is extra-label and should be set by a veterinarian experienced with exotic hoofstock. (No specific protocol was verified for this page.)
Handling & capture
Capture myopathy—muscle damage from pursuit, restraint and transport—is often fatal in wild ungulates. Minimize chase time and stress, avoid hot conditions, use appropriate chemical immobilization by a vet, and release/unload quickly. [3]
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered. [4]
Legal notes (general info, not legal advice)
Listed Endangered under the US Endangered Species Act (per the EWA list; confirm current status on USFWS ECOS). Interstate sale or transport of ESA-listed animals requires federal authorization. CITES: Appendix I. General information, not legal advice. USDA APHIS licensing under the Animal Welfare Act applies to dealers and exhibitors; check USDA and your state wildlife and animal-health agencies before buying, moving or selling. [1][5][6]
Sources
- Exotic Wildlife Association – Endangered Species List (ESA status & CITES appendix)
- Animal Diversity Web (Univ. of Michigan) – Diceros bicornis
- Breed et al. 2019, Understanding capture myopathy (Conservation Physiology, PMC6612673)
- IUCN Red List – Diceros bicornis (assessment page)
- USFWS ECOS – Listed Animals (current ESA status)
- USDA APHIS – Animal Welfare Act licensing & registration
Figures are taken from the numbered sources; items marked "not verified" could not be confirmed from a primary source and are intentionally left blank. Husbandry guidance is general—confirm with an exotic-animal veterinarian.