What term is used to define a congregation (group) of rhinos?
A study on the African white rhinoceros, which is probably more social than other species, gave the following definitions: An “aggregation” is a congregation of individuals in the same area, but the animals each go their own way after some time. A “group” is an association of animals who try to stay in each other’s proximity. These groups remain intact for at least a few hours. Groupings in which the individuals were seen together for a period of a month or longer are called “stable associations” (like mother and child), while animals together for shorter periods are “temporary associations”. Many modern writers refer to a congregation of rhinoceroses as a “crash”. This is sometimes found in crosswords or quizzes. “Herd” would not be zoologically correct because rhinos do not stay in one group for long, they are “temporary associations”. Scientists still use “groups” for the rhinoceros and it is a correct term.
