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Bigalke, R., 1961. White rhinos at Pretoria Zoo. International Zoo Yearbook 2: 43-44

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Location: Captive - Africa
Subject: Behaviour - Daily Routine
Species: White Rhino


Original text on this topic:
The enclosure is provided with a shallow bath and in the summer the animals like to lie in this bath. In the Umfolozi Game Reserve White Rhinoceroses are fond of wallowing in pans and they do so mostly at night time. When the animals have finished, they rub themselves against trees or tree-stumps in the neighbourhood. These may be quite smooth from the rubbing over long periods. Low stumps are even used for rubbing the belly.
The late Captain H. B. Potter, who was Game Conservator of Zululand for many years, was of the opinion that the White Rhinoceros will breed only when it is able to have its mud-bath. lt is not clear what influence mud-baths can have on the breeding of the animal, but as mud-baths are a normal activity, we sometimes place mud in their bath and they make good use of it. This cannot be done too frequently because of the danger of blocking outlet pipes.

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