hippopotamus

{plural – ‘hippopotamuses’ or ‘hippopotami’} (also called ‘hippo’, in short)

a kind of animal – mammal – semi-aquatic (= part of the time living in water, and part of the time on land); pachyderm (thick skinned, like elephant, rhinoceros, pig, etc.) – related to whales and porpoise –

large stocky barrel-shaped grey body with almost no hair, with large head, very large mouth, short ears, protruding eyes

(eyes, ears & nostrils are placed high on the head (skull)), large teeth, short tail, short legs with four webbed toes on each of the four feet; size: 11-15 feet long, 5 feet tall at the shoulder, and weighs 1½ -3½ tons (1500 – 3500 Kgs.); feeds on (eats) grasses; lives for 20-40 years (some can live up to 50 years); 2 species (kinds): the ‘common or river hippo’ and the ‘pygmy hippo’, found in West and East Central Africa

[The ‘pygmy hippopotamus’ is only 5½ feet long, 3 feet tall at the shoulder, and weighs 200-350 Kg.  They do not always eat grass, but eat ferns, leaves and fruit that are available in their habitat.]

male ~~ bull

female ~~ cow

baby ~~ calf

group ~~ herd, school, pod, dale, bloat, huddle, raft (?)

voice (call) ~~ grunt, bellow, snort

Special Features:

The hippopotamus is the third largest land animal in the world – the elephant being the first, and the rhinoceros, the second.

Hippos have been associated with people since Greek and Roman times.

They were considered a female deity of pregnancy in ancient Egypt!

The name ‘hippopotamus’ means ‘hippos’ = horse, and ‘potamus’ = river.

The ancient people thought that hippos were related to horse.  However, the hippos are not related to horses, nor are they related to pigs.  They are related to whales!!

Hippos are one of a very few water mammals that give birth to their young in water!

The calves are born in water, and immediately start to swim up to the surface to breathe air.

Though they look heavy and slow in normal conditions, hippos can run very fast, if need be, – faster than an Olympic sprinter!!

And though they look quiet and gentle, hippos are actually very aggressive, and are known to kill large animals with their sharp teeth some of which can grow to 3 feet long!

Hippos are hunted for their meat and ivory teeth by people.

pink sun-tan

Hippos have no ‘sweat glands’; they cool themselves by staying under water or in mud.

The pink (red) colour on their bodies, called “blood sweat”, is not blood or sweat, but a kind of liquid, like the ‘suntan lotion’ people use!!

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