Hippopotamus | Diet, Size, Species, Habitat, & Facts

The hippopotamus is the third largest land animal in the world after elephants and rhinos. Hippos are found in central and southern Africa. They are herbivores and mainly eat grass.

How big are Hippopotamus?

Hippos are really huge! They can grow up to 10 feet long, 5 feet tall at the shoulder, and weigh 7000 pounds.

What are Hippopotamus unique features?

The Hippo’s many characteristics allow it to spend a lot of time in the water. Eyes, ears, and nose are all on the top of the head. This works well because it keeps them almost completely submerged, but at the same time they can listen and watch out for predators. They also have a transparent membrane that covers their eyes and helps them see underwater. When underwater, they can hold their breath for a long time.

Do Hippopotamus swim?

You might think hippos are excellent swimmers because they spend most of their time in the water, however, they don’t actually swim. What they do is jump or walk along the river bottom. They have a lot of fat, which helps them float a bit, but once they sink, they have to go to shallow water to get to the surface.

Are Hippopotamus dangerous?

Yes, hippopotamus is one of the most dangerous animals in the world. They are responsible for more human deaths than any other large animal in Africa. They are extremely aggressive when provoked and do not hesitate to attack humans. Despite their huge size, they can run at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour.

In addition, they have two large tusks at the base of their mouths that can be more than a foot long. When you combine their size, speed, ferocity and long teeth, you get a dangerous beast.

What is a Hippopotamus baby called?

A baby hippo is called a calf. Calves are actually born underwater.

Do Hippopotamus live in groups?

Hippos usually live in large herds of up to 40. At the head of each group is a male hippo as well as a female and their offspring. Sometimes there may be several young men in the group.

What do Hippopotamus do all day?

Hippos spend the day in the water to cool off and rest. As for these giant animals, they can move very well in the water and can hold their breath for up to five minutes. They also travel on the bottom of rivers or seabeds. When on land, hippos can run very fast, much faster than normal people. At night, hippos come out of the water and eat grass.

Interesting Facts About the Hippopotamus

It is the second heaviest land animal after elephants.

A group of hippos is often referred to as a swarm, herd, or herd.

There have been reports of large herds of hippos reaching almost 200.

Their sweat is thick and red, looking like they’re sweating blood (don’t worry, it’s not blood).

The word hippo comes from the Greek word meaning “water horse”.