RHINO (rhinoceros bicornis). 75 



Habitat. 

 Bush and tree country where there are sufficient thorn trees. Also found in 

 hilly country and often found in places where there are rocks coming through the 

 soil, for which they are easily mistaken. It is not so partial to the neighbourhood 

 of a big river as the elephant, and frequently only drinks from holes. 



Habits. 



Even more given to making beaten tracks or runs than elephant, especially 

 to and from water, and these are used the more, as he appears to wander in a much 

 more confined area than the latter. These pathways are often made through the 

 dambos, where the grass would rise up in a wall 1 2ft. high on either side, and the 

 floor would be a layer of dead and trampled grass, usually all lying one way, like the 

 feathers of a bird. 



On this floor of dead grass it is not easy to find a track or the sign of anything 

 having recently passed. When a fresh track is followed into one of these runs, as 

 often happens, it will be as well to first look carefully at the opposite side to see if it 

 has only crossed the path. 



If the animal has not left it again he will usually follow the path in the direction 

 in which the grass is lying. If he has not, the grass will be seen ruflfled up instead of 

 pressed down. Having once decided which way he has gone, it is easy enough to 

 follow the path, watching either side carefully to see if anything has left it. Every 

 track breaking away should be examined carefully until it has been determined which 

 is the right one. This may be done by parting the grass and looking for the 

 impress of the toe, or seeing if any green grass sprouting underneath the dead is 

 bruised. 



Sometimes both paths have to be examined for some distance, when an acacia 

 recently nibbled, a leaf or froth dropped from the animal's mouth, his smell where he 

 has stood, his dung, or some other indication may be noticed. In such a case it is 

 valuable to know which trees he feeds off and which are peculiar to the elephant. 

 Any thorns nibbled will be a rhino, whereas the bark only torn off a Mkuhuu will be 

 an elephant. 



Places will often be found where he has scratched up the earth with his feet. 

 The fore foot is larger than the hind, but the difference is not so marked as in the 

 elephant. Moreover, in mud or a place where the whole foot can be seen it will be 

 found that they are both fairly round in shape, but generally only the impress of the 

 toes will be visible. Although the rhino is as obtuse as the elephant in hearing and 

 seeing, he is perhaps more respected by the native than any other animal, the 



