If a fight were to break out between these two massive animals, it would be a very intense one, but only one can emerge victorious. Because of both animals' features, the fight would be a pretty close call, but the saltwater crocodile would eventually win.
The two species most often reported to prey upon rhinos – usually young ones – are lions in Africa and tigers in Asia. However, leopards, hyenas, wild dogs and Nile crocodiles are also known to kill African rhino calves on occasion. By far, though, people are rhinos' #1 enemy.
The large teeth of the hippo are stronger than the rhino's horn, but the skin of the rhino is tougher than the skin of a hippo.
In the wild, the adult black or white rhino has no predators except for humans. Rhinos are hunted and killed for their horns. The major demand for rhino horn is in Asia, where it is used in ornamental carvings and traditional medicine.
Some people say the rhino would triumph because of its larger size, vicious horn, and faster speed. However the hippo has more advantages, that include its enormous mouth that can deliver a massive bite force with its ivory tusks.
A rhino can run at up to 50 km/h. With this considerable speed and agility the rhino would be able to strike first with it's incredibly sharp horn of solid keratins. The elephant would struggle to recover from a direct hit, particularly if the rhino managed to penetrate it's under belly. So, we would be bet on rhino!
Though rhinos are mighty, a single adult tiger can kill a rhino.
Animals with no natural predators are called apex predators, because they sit at the top (or apex) of the food chain. The list is indefinite, but it includes lions, grizzly bears, crocodiles, giant constrictor snakes, wolves, sharks, electric eels, giant jellyfish, killer whales, polar bears, and arguably, humans.
Lions and rhinos
Lions are also the natural predators of rhinoceroses, even though they rarely attack adults. Some weak, injured and old rhino adults have reportedly been killed by the felines, but rhino calves are the main targets.
But despite their size and strength, there are animals that do prey on them. Man appears to be their biggest predator. Big cats like leopards and panthers sometimes kill and eat these big reptiles. Large snakes can also do a lot of damage to alligators and crocodiles.
A rhino would win a fight against a grizzly bear.
Grizzly bears are tough animals. They're also far more aggressive than the average solitary rhino. In a fight to the death, though, the rhino would clearly recognize that the grizzly is a threat that needs to be frightened off or eliminated.
The semi-bulletproof nature of crocodiles and other large animals, such as elephants and rhinos, gave rise to the 'elephant gun' in the late 1800s – this was a very heavy-duty weapon specifically designed for killing big game.
Rhinos may weigh roughly 4,500 pounds, but a full-grown rhino can reach a speed of 35 miles per hour, and its horn is capable of goring an adult lion.
Poaching. Poaching, driven by consumer demand for rhino horn primarily in Asia, poses the biggest threat to rhinos.
"Lions are wary of crocodiles and will generally avoid the water to stay away from crocs," writes NatGeo TV. "Occasionally, crocodiles have been known to attack lions while they drink at the water's edge (but lions are also known for attacking and eating baby crocodiles)."
Aside from humans, lions are the only predators powerful enough to kill an elephant. The males, being 50% heavier than the females, are especially suited to the task. It typically takes seven lionesses to kill an elephant, but just two males could do the same. Even a single male can overpower a young elephant.
Ever wondered what animal can kill a lion? Lions sometimes become the victims of their intended prey. There have been instances in which lions have been killed by giraffe, buffalo, kudu, snakes and even porcupines.
To date, there's only one species that has been called 'biologically immortal': the jellyfish Turritopsis dohrnii. These small, transparent animals hang out in oceans around the world and can turn back time by reverting to an earlier stage of their life cycle.
The honey badger has been called the world's most fearless animal because it doesn't hesitate to attack animals much larger than itself- even lions and crocodiles!
It's Natural to assume that animals with large teeth and aggressive reputation animals like lions or poisonous snakes are the world's deadliest killers. But appearance not sufficient to judge the creature's deadliness. Mosquito has recorded the maximum killing of people every year.
An ambush by the tiger would instantly end a fight against a Komodo dragon, and the tiger would just as easily win a battle without the element of surprise. In fact, if it was attacked from hiding by the Komodo dragon, which is not likely, then it would turn the tables on the smaller, weaker animal.
A tiger would kill a gorilla in a fight. If a tiger managed to ambush a gorilla, the tiger would immediately kill it. Although the gorilla is strong, the fact is that it could not stop 600 pounds of charging muscle and teeth.