Substrates

There are a wide variety of substrates that facilities use varying from wood chip to rubberized flooring. Each of these has pros and cons and are listed below.

Wood Chip

Wood chip is becoming more and more prevalent as a substrate for all rhino species. Care staff must monitor to make sure that copious amounts are not being consumed. A depth of 18-24" is generally recommended.

Rubberized Flooring

Rubberized flooring has been more commonly used in the last decade. Retrofitting barns can be an issue around drains and door tracks. This flooring is better for joints than brushed concrete, This can be done with pour-on floor or bolted down.

Brushed Concrete

While easier to clean than other flooring, this can excessively wear down nails and pads. This is also a hard surface for rhinos to lay on for extended periods of time and an overlay is recommended to prevent pressure sores and scrapes. (Kutilek,2023)

Top Soil

Top soil is often used in wallows for thick mud coats, however in-barn applications can be dusty and cumbersome to work with.

Sand

Sand can be abrasive but can be utilized in a variety of applications. Food should not be presented near sand sources.

Crushed Granite

Some facilities use this in patches to create a variety of substrates. The rough texture can keep nails short and exfoliate skin excessively. This is not recommended for wallows.