 Reference Base  Ranging patterns of the black rhinoceros ( Diceros bicorn... |
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Kiwia, H.D., 1989. Ranging patterns of the black rhinoceros ( Diceros bicornis (L.)) in Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania. African Journal of Ecology 27: 305-312, figs. 1-3, tables 1-3
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| Location: |
Africa - Eastern Africa - Tanzania |
| Subject: |
Behaviour - Daily Routine |
| Species: |
Black Rhino |
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Densities of dung piles in Lerai forest and in the open grassland sample area were 78.5 and 9.3 per km? respectively (Fig. 2a & b). Eighty-two per cent of the piles in the forest and 97% in the grassland were deposited within a meter of the main rhino tracks (Fig. 3a & b). Over 60% of all defaecation by individuals of all sex & age classes was on preformed dung piles. Eight recorded piles were shared by individuals of all sex and age classes. All individuals, including calves scraped dung piles before and after defaecating. The mean number of scrapes by adults was four before and eight after defaecating. Values for sub-adults and calves were generally lower but the data were not sufficient for statistical analysis.
Although data on defaecation and urination by the species provide no evidence of territoriality as in the white rhinoceros, some observations of interest were noted.
The density and size of dung piles in Lerai Forest are larger than those in the open grassland (Fig. 2). This suggests that the forest is the best rhino habitat on the Crater floor for resident rhinos to retreat into during the night to feed (Kiwia, 1986). As most piles were deposited within a meter of the main rhino tracks and since individuals sniff and scatter the piles on encountering them, it appears that scent associated with the dung is used for orientation and communication in the species, which is both myopic and solitary (Schenkel & Schenkel-Hullinger, 1969; Goddard, 1967).
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