Body temperatures of some wild East African ungulates

Translocated Diceros bicornis in Tanzania. It was observed that rhinos showed profuse sweating sfter the immobilization exercise. The rise in body temperature stimulated the sweat glands, which is obviously one of the heat-loss mechanisms of rhino (contrary to Guggisberg 1966 that rhino have no sweat glands). Microscopic examination of the skin shows well-developed groups of sweat glands (Prof. D. Robertshaw and Dr B. Clausen).

Rectal temperature taken from 9 male rhino - range 37.3 to 41.5 deg.C, average 38.9 deg.C. Three females spanned 37.3 to 39.7 deg.C, average 38.5 deg.C. Overall temperatures ranged 37.3 to 41.5 deg.C, average 38.8 deg.C.