The rhino brothers eagerly accept treats from a Backstage Pass participant.
It has been a few months since my last update on our two Indian rhinos, Soman and Surat (see post Rhinos Move across the Street) at the San Diego Zoo. They have been very busy relaxing in the sun, hanging out in their pool, and meeting guests everyday. Moving to the former elephant exhibit has offered them many things. A bigger barn, a huge pool, and a much larger exhibit, which they have been taking full advantage of.
Many guests wonder when the animals are active at the Zoo. Most days it is early in the morning when the keepers are cleaning and feeding and at the end of the day when the sun is going down. Luckily, many of our guests have been able to see our rhino brothers in full spirit regularly. If you stop by the rhino exhibit in the Zoo’s Urban Jungle, you will see the speed and agility of these large herbivores.
They usually start by using their horns to push each other around while in the pool. Soman will put his horn under Surat’s back legs and lift him a foot in the air. This may not sound like much until you realize that Surat weighs about 3,000 pounds (1,360 kilograms)! Soman also stands up on Surat’s back to survey the view. They spin in circles, hitting each other in the sides and pushing, until one decides to run out of the pool. The other gives chase and the fun begins! They run full speed around the yard and through the gates, navigating quickly around any obstacle. If it has been dry recently, a big cloud of dust obscures the view of portions of the exhibit. They have a blast! It is a great show for the guests and the rhinos get some good exercise out of it, too.
People wonder if it is fighting or too violent, but this is normal rhino play. They push and shove anything they can get to, be it a tree, toy, or other rhino. It is healthy play and helps keep them in shape. They love the lounging part of the day so much that I am glad they get a chance to get up and get their hearts going.
So if you stop by and the pool is filling or it is late in the afternoon, take a look at the cloud of dust going by. You just might see two rhinos in a healthy play battle!
Laura Weiner is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
Glad to hear the rhinos like their new exhibit and that they are happy. That’s a great picture — the visitor is really close to them!
It’s fun to imagine Soman and Surat running and playing! The rhinos at my local zoo have taken over the former elephant space and it’s great that they have room to roam and that all four rhinos can be outside at the same time. It’s pretty mundane, but one of my favorite things about the rhinos is listening to them eat!
Any chance of a video of one of their play sessions? I remember a video of a rhino calf from the WAP and it was a joy to watch as the calf drank from giant bottles and ran around the pen.
Thank you for teaching us more about rhinos!
it sounds like the brothers are enjoying their new exibit as well as each other!! I can just imagine all the playful fun & chaos you so artfully described in your welcome article. I would love to see it. it has to be quite funny! I am so glad they have each other & are not alone. how old are the brothers now? will you breed them in the future? you only have the 2-males right? maybe purchase a female in the future for additional members to introduce to the zoo public!! ha ha! anyway, thank you so much for the up-date!
Hi Nancy,
I’m so glad you enjoyed my article. The rhinos really enjoy their playtime. The brothers are still young, Soman will be 5 in February and Surat turned 3 in October. As for breeding them in the future, usually what happens is that males will be sent to a zoo that has a female of breeding age. Each rhino is paired up with a female according to the studbook keeper. This is a person who works under the guidelines of the SSP, Species Survival Plan. It’s kind of like a dating service for endangered species. The studbook keeper looks at the genetics of each of the animals and decides who would be best paired for breeding. This is very important when the population is small. You need the best genetics when dealing with endangered species.
A long answer but hopefully it answered your question.
Laura, thanks for the update on the Rhino brothers. I had been wondering how they were adapting to their expanded space in the former elephant yard. I hope to meet them in person in January. All young animals, including humans, grow up so fast. It is great to hear they have fun and get exercise at the same time. The new exhibit sounds like great enrichment as well.
Looks like my parents are in for a treat when they do their Backstage Pass. (Their Christmas present from my sister and me.) I hope to visit the zoo next trip to San Diego. I’ll definitely visit the new Rhino home.
Moderator’s note: What a wonderful gift idea! Your parents will most certainly enjoy the Backstage Pass program.
Even though Gram is my favorite rhino, these two are tied for first with Gram.
Oh after reading this and looking at the photo it sounds like they both think they are lap puppies!!! Kind of like a Great Dane or a boxer does! They just don’t understand that they are big… REAL BIG!! Such babies!!! Thank you for the wonderful post! Everyone over there has the best way of describing some event or current thing so we in the world… feel like we are there! Thank you!!!