 Reference Base  The mammals of the southern African subregion, new edition |
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World |
| Subject: |
Reproduction |
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Black Rhino |
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Calves walk and suckle within three hours of birth. At this stage the females are extremely intolerant of disturbance. At birth calves are lighter in colour than adults and are sparsely haired. They are alert and playful and appear to have keener eyesight than their mothers. Suckling at first takes place standing up, but as they grow older, the calves have to lie down on their bellies to reach the teats, a pair being situated in the cow's inguinal region. During the early life of the calf the cow tends to keep to thick bush, the calf always in close proximity, walking at her side or behind her. At a few weeks of age the calf starts to browse, but continues to suckle for about a year. The cow calls the calf by emitting a highpitched mew, while the calf, if it has strayed, calls the cow with a bellowing squeal. The cow will defend her young vigorously. Goddard (1966) witnessed a cow killing a lion in these circumstances.
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