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MATING AND COURTSHIP OF THE BLACK RHINOCEROS
Author(s) -
Goddard John
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
african journal of ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.499
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1365-2028
pISSN - 0141-6707
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2028.1966.tb00883.x
Subject(s) - rhinoceros , courtship , mating , zoology , biology , population , courtship display , ecology , demography , sociology
Summary During a study of the rhinoceros population at Ngorongoro Crater and Olduvai Gorge, mating or courtship behaviour was observed on six occasions. Precopulatory, copulatory and post‐copulatory behaviour is described and illustrated. Mating takes place at any time of the year and there is little doubt that the species is polygamous and polyandrous. The impermanence of the mating bond, and the pugnacity of the male rhinoceros when a female is in oestrus, is shown with the aid of a documented description.