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Skinner, J.D.; Smithers, R.H.N., 1990. The mammals of the southern African subregion, new edition. Pretoria, University of Pretoria, pp. i-xxxii, 1-771

  details
 
Location: World
Subject: Morphology - Skull
Species: White Rhino


Original text on this topic:
The skull is more elongated in this species than in the black rhinoceros, the occipital crest rising high at the back of the skull. The crest has a broad rugose area on top to provide a firm attachment for the huge muscles that actuate the raising and lowering of the heavy head. The high crest also provides for a broad area at the back of the skull for the attachment of the other neck muscles. The zygomatic arches are heavily built to give a firm attachment for the masseter muscles that actuate the lower jaw, which, at their posterior edges, broaden out to give these an extra wide area of attachment for the lower end of these muscles. The lower jaw is massive, particularly so at the level of the posterior angle, the condyles very broad and fitting into deep sockets.

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