Can Rhinos Truly Extinguish Fires?

In the 1980 film "The Gods Must Be Crazy," there's a memorable scene where a rhino takes on the role of a "self-proclaimed fire safety officer" in the bush. Spotting a small campfire started by a human, the rhino charges in and swiftly extinguishes it. (This moment was even referenced in an episode of "The Simpsons," where a rhino diverts its path to stomp out a fire.) It all seems logical—after all, rhinos are known for their commitment to safety. They might be handy if your oven catches fire, but they'd certainly ruin a bonfire. Definitely not the ideal guest for a Guy Fawkes Night celebration.

There's just one issue. While this behavior is legendary, it appears to be purely mythical. Interestingly, the legend might differ significantly from the one depicted on screen. A 1974 review of scientific literature on rhinos mentions a Burmese belief that rhinos are drawn to campfires. Upon finding one, they would "trample and consume" the fire, effectively becoming fire-devouring legends [source: Van Strien].

However, it's crucial to recognize that these stories are largely folklore, shared among indigenous communities. No one has ever witnessed a rhino aggressively attacking or consuming fire. Additionally, it's worth noting that there are various rhino species, and African black rhinos, for instance, have never been associated with fire-eating. It's possible that the legend of fire-devouring Asian rhinos evolved into tales of fire-stomping African rhinos [source: Gaines]. What is true, though, is that rhinos generally dislike humans; they fear them and may react aggressively [source: Okori]. In short, a fire wouldn't deter or occupy them.

Let's give rhinos the credit they deserve. Research from 2004 reveals that ancient rhinos, which resembled hippopotamuses, faced no natural predators due to their massive size and formidable horns [source: Goldbaum]. Even today, modern rhinos have few adversaries. This might explain why the myth persists: humans find it hard to accept that such a powerful animal has no vulnerabilities. Imagining that rhinos can be distracted by fire makes them seem less intimidating.

To set the record straight: rather than viewing rhinos as the mythical safety-conscious creatures depicted in stories and media, it's more accurate to see them as formidable rulers of their domain.