White Rhino Gestation Calculator
Last updated
A white rhinoceros's gestation period is about 490 days, or roughly 16 months, though it ranges from 480 to 500 days depending on breed and individual animal.
Calculate a calf due date
Estimated calving date
Monday, 7 February 2028
Earliest
28 Jan 2028
Latest
17 Feb 2028
0 of 490 days elapsed
Milestone timeline
| Day | Milestone | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Mating after courtship that can last several days | 5 Oct 2026 |
| 100 | Pregnancy confirmed by faecal hormone testing in managed care | 13 Jan 2027 |
| 400 | Abdomen and udder visibly enlarging | 9 Nov 2027 |
| 490 | Expected calving, about 16 months after mating | 7 Feb 2028 |
How to use the white rhinoceros gestation calculator
- 1. Choose what you know. Enter the breeding date to get a due date, or switch to the target due date mode to work backwards to the breeding date you need.
- 2. Refine the inputs. The calculator uses the 490-day average for this species.
- 3. Plan around the range. Use the earliest and latest dates and the milestone timeline to schedule checks, feed changes and preparation of the calving area.
How long is a white rhinoceros' gestation period?
The average is 490 days from breeding to calving, about 16 months. Anything between 480 and 500 days is normal, and a typical litter is 1 calf. Treat the calculated date as the middle of that window rather than a fixed appointment.
White rhinoceros gestation table: breeding date to calving date
Breeding dates one week apart with the matching calving date at 490 days.
| Breeding date | Expected calving date |
|---|---|
| 5 Oct 2026 | 7 Feb 2028 |
| 12 Oct 2026 | 14 Feb 2028 |
| 19 Oct 2026 | 21 Feb 2028 |
| 26 Oct 2026 | 28 Feb 2028 |
| 2 Nov 2026 | 6 Mar 2028 |
| 9 Nov 2026 | 13 Mar 2028 |
| 16 Nov 2026 | 20 Mar 2028 |
| 23 Nov 2026 | 27 Mar 2028 |
| 30 Nov 2026 | 3 Apr 2028 |
| 7 Dec 2026 | 10 Apr 2028 |
| 14 Dec 2026 | 17 Apr 2028 |
| 21 Dec 2026 | 24 Apr 2028 |
Working backwards from a target calving date
If you want calfs on the ground in a particular week, switch the calculator to target date mode and enter the date you are aiming for. It subtracts 490 days to give the breeding date to book, plus the earliest and latest service dates that still land inside your window.