![]() Solitary animals with the exception of coming together to mate, mothers and calves will sometimes congregate in small groups for short periods of time. If mud is not available rhinos will wallow in dust. Wallowing helps cool down body temperature during the day and protects against parasites. In the hottest part of the day they are most inactive- resting, sleeping, and wallowing in the mud. Their ears possess a relatively wide rotational range to detect sounds and an excellent sense of smell to alert them the presence of predators. Such behaviour was originally thought to be an example of mutualism, but recent evidence suggests that oxpeckers may be parasites instead, feeding on rhino blood. Black rhinos have poor eyesight, relying more on hearing and smell. Their skin harbors external parasites, such as mites and ticks, which are eaten by oxpeckers and egrets that live with the rhino. Their thick layered skin protects the rhino from thorns and sharp grasses. The Black Rhinoceros can also be recognized from the White Rhinoceros by its smaller skull and ears. White Rhinoceroshave square lips used for eating grass. The Black Rhino is smaller than the White Rhino, and has a long, pointed, and prehensile upper lip, which it uses to grasp leaves and twigs when feeding. Skin color depends more on local soil conditions and the rhinoceros' wallowing behavior than anything else, so many black rhinos are typically not truly black in color. These horns are used for defense, intimidation, and digging up roots and breaking branches during feeding. Sometimes, a third smaller horn may develop. Two horns on the skull are made of keratin with the larger horn at the front, and the smaller horn at the back. Other: The females are smaller than the males.
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