Where rhinos have been ruthlessly persecuted, they can be aggressive, simply because they feel threatened since attack is their means of defence. Unmolested, rhinos are extremely docile animals and easy to tame. At such times, the only thing to do is to get out of the way fast, for the animal is not in conscious control of its actions. Black rhinos are solitary in nature, their lives governed entirely by scent, hearing and a phenomenal memory. Eyesight is poor, but simply because it is seldom needed, since all the other senses are so acute.
Vision comes into play only at close quarters, during conflict or to detect movement nearby.
Rhinos always kick their dung with their hind feet, leaving a personal scent trail for others to interpret. Since the life of these ancient beings is governed by scent, it is through scent that the introductions must be made. The dropping of any newcomer are added to the established middens of the residents for many months before physical contact is allowed. The relocation of hand-raised rhinos into an established wild community is therefore a lengthy and complicated process. The orphaned rhinos have to be walked far afield each day by their keepers, encouraged to make their own contribution to established middens in the bush and in the process, leaving their own particular scent trail far and wide for others to investigate and to become accustomed to.