 Reference Base  Behaviour of large mammals during the formation of Lake K... |
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Child, G., 1968. Behaviour of large mammals during the formation of Lake Kariba. Salisbury and Bulawayo, Trustees of the National Museums of Rhodesia, pp. i-vi, 1-123
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| Location: |
Africa - Southern Africa - Zimbabwe |
| Subject: |
Behaviour - Social Behaviour |
| Species: |
Black Rhino |
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This evidence indicates rhino are generally fairly localised although the availability of open water probably determines the size of the home range as Dean has suggested. Ritchie (1963) indicates they wander five to 15 miles from water to feed in parts of Kenya, as well defined rhino paths lead out this distance from water holes. Stockley (1950) and Ripley (1958) have gone as far as to describe them as territorial, on account of their defecating on middens and then scattering their dung with their feet. Although rhino do occasionally fight, the active defense of territories needs substantiating in view of the small amount of aggressive behaviour found by Roth and Child, when rhino populations became compressed on to islands at Kariba. Further, Ripley (1952) has suggested that the great Indian rhino are also territorial as they too have middens, but Gee (1953) disagrees, as several animals may use the same dung heaps and this author suggests they may play a role in establishing social hierarchies within a group.
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