Why are Rhinos Important?

Rhinos are ecosystem engineers! They help to shape the wilderness so that other species may thrive. Thus, the loss of rhinos will have an impact on several other species. These remarkable animals play a vital role in maintaining and creating a balanced and healthy ecosystem. No species should go extinct due to human impact, and understanding of how every creature contributes to a healthy ecosystem is vital. Often the focus in media is on poaching, yet, the destruction of habitat is an even more serious threat to wildlife. Species from giraffes to egrets and frogs need a healthy place to live. Also, we humans need fresh air, clean water and fertile soil to thrive.

Rhinos are herbivore! Megaherbivores – they eat a lot of plants! They shape the ecosystem by increasing plant diversity. They spread nutrients and seeds and provide grazing patches for other animals. Rhinos help maintain the diverse African grasslands on which numerous other species depend. Areas where there are rhinos have more grazing lawns or patches with grass species that provide food not only for rhinos but also for smaller grazing animals like antilopes and zebras.

Rhinos are a bit picky which means that leave some grasses for other species. You could call them “selective lawnmowers“!

In the story, “The Rhino In Me”, the orphaned rhino loves wallowing in mud puddles. Of course, this is playful behaviour that also helps the baby rhino to scrub the itchy skin. But the wallowing also helps to keep existing waterholes open. The mud dries on the skin and when a rhino walks away from the mud puddle, soil is transport to new places. Thus, the rhino enriches the soil simply by having a lovely mud bath!

Eating around 50 kg of plants every day, means that rhinos make lots of materials that keeps the dung beetle busy.

And since it is Pumpkin time, here is a video of a black rhino smashing pumpkin! Rhino Playtime at its very Best!

Note: I tend not to post videos from Zoos, so I have made an exception in this case.