{
  "abstract": "Ex situ conservation of African rhinoceros is essential for their preservation, and characterization of temperament could be useful for managing their wellbeing. Here, the temperaments of 49 black (Diceros bicornis, BR) and 125 white (Ceratotherium simum, WR) rhinos in North American institutions were assessed using keeper temperament surveys. Median keeper ratings on 12 behaviors were clustered by PCAs into temperament profiles related to bold/fearful, active/inactive and anthrophilic/-phobic traits for BR and WR, and reactive/stoic traits for WR. Novel object (rope basket) tests were conducted on 32 BR and 66 WR to measure individual temperaments. Proportion of time active and stimulated, frequency of interactions, and latency to approach the basket were analyzed. Statistical models were used to determine associations of demographic and environmental factors with the expression of temperament. Spearman’s correlations were used to assess the relationship and validity between temperament assessments. The survey temperament profiles indicated that males of both species were more active than females, and activity declined with age in WR (p < 0.05). Age, temperature and enclosure size were significantly associated with behaviors in BR and WR during the novel object test, whereas sex, calf presence and social housing additionally had significant associations with WR behaviors. Younger BR and WR and individually-housed WR were more likely to engage in novel situations (p < 0.05). Personality traits of active/inactive, anthrophilic/-phobic, bold/fearful, exploratory/avoidant, and sociable/aggressive with conspecifics were correlated in both assessments (p < 0.05) reinforcing the reliability of temperament surveys and novel object tests for assessing rhino temperament. These assessments measured rhinos’ tendency towards fearfulness and exploration. Understanding temperament could aid managers making decisions related to training, housing, or other aspects to minimize aversive experiences. Consideration of a rhino’s natural activity and comfort with humans could enable tailoring expectations for daily behaviors, interactions with enrichment, conspecifics, and people to promote positive mental states and wellbeing.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Environmental Science and Policy Department, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, United States of America",
    "Department of Biology, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, United States of America",
    "South‐East Zoo Alliance for Reproduction & Conservation, Yulee, Florida, United States of America",
    "School of Integrative Studies, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, United States of America"
  ],
  "article_type": "Research Article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 4,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Kelly Chimpén Mac Leod"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Marieke K. Jones"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Lara C. Metrione"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Elizabeth W. Freeman"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/dcatkqrp4pfeb.bib",
  "cited_by": 1,
  "doi": "10.1371/journal.pone.0356484",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "dcatkqrp4pfeb",
  "issns": [
    "1932-6203"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0356484",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "3404|Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Eukaryota/Animals/Wildlife"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Psychology/Behavior/Animal behavior"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Psychology/Behavior/Animal behavior/Animal communication/Vocalization"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Psychology/Behavior/Animal behavior/Animal sociality"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Psychology/Personality/Personality traits"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Psychology/Psychometrics/Personality tests"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Zoology/Animal behavior"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Zoology/Animal behavior/Animal communication/Vocalization"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Zoology/Animal behavior/Animal sociality"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Zoology/Animals/Wildlife"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Physical sciences/Mathematics/Statistics/Statistical methods/Multivariate analysis/Principal component analysis"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Research and analysis methods/Mathematical and statistical techniques/Statistical methods/Multivariate analysis/Principal component analysis"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Research and analysis methods/Research design/Survey research/Surveys"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Social sciences/Psychology/Behavior/Animal behavior"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Social sciences/Psychology/Behavior/Animal behavior/Animal communication/Vocalization"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Social sciences/Psychology/Behavior/Animal behavior/Animal sociality"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Social sciences/Psychology/Personality/Personality traits"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Social sciences/Psychology/Psychometrics/Personality tests"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7213398887",
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-16",
  "publisher": "Public Library of Science",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/dcatkqrp4pfeb.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:49Z",
      "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pone.0356484",
      "source": "plos",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0356484"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "plos:animal behavior",
      "subfield": "zoology-behaviour"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Temperament assessment of black (Diceros bicornis) and white (Ceratotherium simum) rhinos using keeper temperament surveys and novel object tests",
  "title_text": "Temperament assessment of black (Diceros bicornis) and white (Ceratotherium simum) rhinos using keeper temperament surveys and novel object tests",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:49Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/dcatkqrp4pfeb",
  "venue": "PLOS One",
  "versions": []
}