What Do Rhinos Eat?

There are five species of rhinoceros alive today, each of which has its own unique physiological and environmental differences. While there may be some variance in their diets, there are some key characteristics that all species share. So, what do rhinos eat? Keep reading to learn more about the rhino’s diet and how they forage for food.

What Does a Rhino Eat?

Rhinos are generalist herbivores, which means that their diet consists of a variety of different plant matter. The black rhino, for instance, has been documented consuming 32 of the 34 available plants in its environment. Diversity is important to the diet of the rhino, but this enormous herbivore also needs to consume a large amount of food just to stay nourished. Actual intake can vary depending on the species. However, some rhinos, like the white rhino, need to consume around 120 pounds of grass a day to maintain their weight and meet their energy requirements.

Grazers vs. Browsers

In terms of dietary habits, rhino species fall into one of two categories: grazers or browsers. Grazers keep their heads down and primarily feed on grasses, with a preference for shorter grasses. Indian and white rhinos are both classified as grazers. Black, Sumatran, and Javan rhinos all fall into the category of browsers. Rather than feed on grasses, they instead focus their attention on food that’s above eye level. This includes twigs, fruit, and leaves.

Despite having some variety in their diets, rhinos do have taste preferences. They particularly like sweet foods, which is evident from their tendency to destroy farmland in search of fruits. Browsers will graze and grazers will browse when necessary, and most species will resort to eating roots and bark when resources are scarce. Roots also help rhinos stay hydrated during dry seasons and droughts.

Although the different species have their preferences, in general, rhinos eat a diet that includes:

• Grasses (roughly 40% of a grazer’s diet)
• Twigs
• Leaves
• Roots
• Bark
• Fruits
• Vegetables

How Do Rhinos Forage for Food?

While food availability can determine whether rhinos are grazers or browsers, different rhino species have also evolved different mouth shapes to facilitate their foraging behaviors. Browsing rhinos have an upper lip that is pointed and prehensile to varying degrees. This adaptation allows them to use their lips much like pruning shears, enabling them to clip twigs, leaves, and fruit from trees and strip bark from branches. In contrast, grazers have a wider, square-shaped upper lip that allows them to consume large quantities of grass quickly. Considering that the largest grazing species ― the African white rhino — can require up to 120 pounds of food in a day, this trait is essential.

The sheer amount of food that rhinos need to consume means that eating takes up a large part of their day. White rhinos spend about half of their waking hours grazing and eating. While all of these species can be identified as generalist herbivores, they tend to be particular in their consumption.

Studies of the black rhino suggest that they will eat almost all of the edible plants in their environment, yet they’re selective about the plants they prefer to consume. They will often prioritize foods that are either less readily available or don’t show immediate nutritional value. This suggests that, even though rhinos are not especially picky eaters, they still need a diverse diet. Species like the Javan and Indian rhino often prioritize aquatic plants because these provide both nutrition and hydration.

The Impact of Human Activity

As we learn more about the complexity of rhino feeding habits, it becomes more apparent that human encroachment is affecting their long-term nutrition. Their high nutritional demands necessitate large areas for grazing or browsing. Unfortunately, agricultural incursion often leads to conflict between rhinos and human communities.

Human activity also seems to be affecting the feeding habits of rhinos. While some rhino species are generally more active during the day, both black and white rhinos have been observed feeding at night, especially in response to threats or high temperatures.