White Rhinoceros
White Rhinoceros
Plains
ABout White Rhinoceros

WHITE RHINOS ARE NOT NAMED BY THEIR COLOR. ORIGINATING IN AFRICA, THESE RHINOS WERE NAMED FOR THEIR WIDE MOUTHS.

When the name was translated to English, “wide” became “white.” White rhinos have two horns, the foremost being more prominent. Rhino horns grow as much as three inches a year, and have been known to grow up to five feet long. Females use their horns to protect their young, while males use them to battle attackers. They live in grassy plains, tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas and shrublands.

 

Take Action

The actions you take can make a big difference for rhinos and other animals that are facing threats to their survival.

Plains Stamp
FACTS & STATISTICS
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Average Size
11- 13.75 feet in length, 5-6 feet tall, weigh up to 6,000 pounds
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Native Region
Southern Africa
Eating Habits
Short grasses
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Conservation status
Near Threatened
Plan Your Visit

Come meet rhinos in person! Connect with our amazing species and learn about the wild places they come from.

WHERE ARE THEY AT THE ZOO
The White Rhinoceros is located in the Plains Exhibit.
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Additional Experiences
Animal Art Adventure

Rhinos may be best known for their huge horns, but did you know our rhinos can use this awesome adaptation to paint? Come meet one of our horned pachyderm painters and get a beautiful, one-of-a-kind piece of art! This program is available on select dates in the summer.

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Additional Experiences
Animal Amigo
Sponsor a Rhino

The Animal Amigo program helps care for all of the animals at the Zoo by funding food, medical treatment, equipment, enrichment toys, and habitat improvement for the animals in our care. For a donation of $100 or more, you can sponsor a rhino at the Indianapolis Zoo. You will receive a plush, collector card, certificate and recognition on the Animal Amigo donor board!

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Additional Experiences
White River Junction Train Ride
Climb aboard the White River Junction Train Ride for a tour of the "Zoo behind the Zoo."

Riders will enjoy a 10-minute narrated journey and learn about our Plains animals, greenhouse, gardens, the Zoo’s 15,000-square-foot veterinary hospital, maintenance and commissary departments and other behind-the-scenes operations necessary to run the Zoo. Available mid-March through December, riders will also learn about the Zoo’s animal conservation mission.

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