 Reference Base  The mammals of the southern African subregion, new edition |
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| Location: |
World |
| Subject: |
Behaviour - Daily Routine |
| Species: |
Black Rhino |
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Black rhinoceros deposit their dung in latrines but will also defecate on paths or fortuitously anywhere in their home range. The latrines may be used by a number of individuals. Usually a small bush marks the centre of the latrine. After deposition the dung is vigorously scraped by the bulls with alternate kicks of the hind feet which leave scrape marks on the ground which, in soft ground, may reach a depth of 0.3 m (Feely, in litt.). Possibly the adherence of portions of the dung to the hind feet may mark the presence of the individual on tracks. In northern Natal, many latrines are used by both species of rhinoceros (Feely, in litt.). Smell is very important to rhinoceros and they have been observed to change direction by 90 degrees to investigate the presence of strange rhinoceros (Emslie, pers. comm.).
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