Seasonal variation of diet and faeces composition of black rhinoceros Diceros bicornis in the Addo Elephant National Park.

Abstract

Rhino fed largely on woody shrubs but also took forbs, grass and succulent plants. During dry periods, rhino selected succulent plants with a high moisture content rather than woody plants. A total of 111 plant species were utilized. During dry months the feeding rate was greater than wet months. Chemical analyses of faeces indicated that mean crude protein values varied with rainfall and herbage quality, ash values were strongly influenced by the intake of plant roots and dust during dry periods, and acid detergent fibre was highest during unfavourable periods and low during favourable periods.-from Authors