Far from being solitary brutes, rhinos display surprising social intelligence. They communicate through an elaborate system of scent marks, vocalisations, and shared middens (dung piles) that serve as community message boards.
The image of the lone, aggressive rhino is largely myth. Whilst not as social as elephants, rhinos maintain intricate social networks through chemical communication. They deliberately defecate at communal middens—some used for generations—where individuals leave ‘messages’ about their identity, reproductive status, and health.
Rhinos possess an impressive vocal repertoire of at least 10 distinct sounds, from the high-pitched ‘mew’ of calves calling their mothers to the fierce snorts of territorial bulls. White rhinos, the most social species, form groups called ‘crashes’ of up to 14 individuals, typically females with young. These groups provide protection and learning opportunities for calves, who stay with their mothers for up to three years. Even ‘solitary’ black rhinos maintain long-distance relationships through scent trails and vocalisations that carry for kilometres.
Recent research reveals that rhinos can recognise individual voices and scents, remembering ‘friends’ even after years of separation.
