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Rhino Resource Center: Rhino Forums > Rhino Species > Black Rhino > Black Rhino's Swim Ability

Posted by: Nosey Rhino Jan 6 2015, 04:10 PM

What is the swim ability of Black Rhinos? If Black Rhinos can generally swim, do they swim well, or barely? And if "barely" then would individuals with larger horns have a harder time to the point of NOT being able to swim? Can't find a reputable article reporting on this, but my layman's research is pointing towards the White Rhino as possibly the only land mammal that cannot swim besides Giraffe (not sure) and Apes. Physics makes me think that the weight of the horn would be an issue, making keeping head above water difficult for any Rhino who develops a large/heavy horn. What I've found looking for information: A few articles mentioning drowned Rhinos. A few articles claiming Rhinos are good swimmers except for White Rhinos. Zero Videos of hornless (near hornless) Rhinos swimming. Regardless, any footage I found of Rhinos swimming, it was never a Rhino with a developed horn. So, is it the Horn or the Species that dictates the Rhino's in-ability to swim? Is it just that the White Rhino has the bigger/heavier Horn leveraged out over its nostrils? If so, can a young hornless White Rhino swim? What are the implications on travel for the White Rhino? Is their genetic lines restricted by river geography. Brian Groh Ozark, Missouri, USA