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The hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) (/ ˌ h ɪ p ə ˈ p ɒ t ə m ə s /; pl.: hippopotamuses; also shortened to hippo (pl.: hippos), further qualified as the common hippopotamus, Nile hippopotamus, or river hippopotamus, is a large semiaquatic mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa.
- Description
- Species
- Habitat and Range
- Diet
- Behavior
- Reproduction and Offspring
- Evolutionary History
- Conservation Status
- Threats
- Sources
Hippos aren't the world's largest land mammals—that honor belongs, by a hair, to the largest breeds of elephants and rhinoceroses—but they come pretty close. The biggest male hippos can approach three tons and 17 feet, and apparently, never stop growing throughout their 50-year life span. The females are a few hundred pounds lighter, but every bit ...
While there is only one hippopotamus species—Hippopotamus amphibius—researchers recognize five different subspecies, corresponding to the parts of Africa where these mammals live. 1. H. amphibius amphibius, also known as the Nile hippopotamus or the great northern hippopotamus, lives in Mozambique and Tanzania; 2. H. amphibius kiboko, the East Afri...
Hippos spend most of each day in shallow water, emerging at night to travel to "hippo lawns," grassy areas where they graze. Grazing only at night allows them to keep their skins moist and out of the African sun. When they're not grazing on grass—which at night takes them into the African lowlands several miles away from the water and for periods o...
Hippos eat between 65–100 pounds of grass and foliage each night. Somewhat confusingly, hippos are classified as "pseudoruminants"—they're equipped with multiple-chambered stomachs, like cows, but they do not chew a cud (which, considering the huge size of their jaws, would make for a pretty comical sight). Fermentation takes place primarily in the...
If you ignore the difference in size, hippopotamuses may be the closest thing to amphibiansin the mammal kingdom. In the water, hippos live in loose polygynous groups made up mostly of females with their offspring, one territorial male and several unallied bachelors: The alpha male has a section of beach or lake edge for a territory. Hippopotamuses...
Hippopotamuses are polygynous: One bull mates with multiple cows in his territorial/social group. Hippo females usually mate once every two years, and the bull mates with whichever cows are in heat. Although mating can occur throughout the year, conception only occurs from February to August. The gestation period lasts nearly a year, with births ta...
Unlike the case with rhinoceroses and elephants, the evolutionary tree of hippopotamuses is rooted in mystery. Modern hippos shared a last common ancestor, or "concestor," with modern whales, and this presumed species lived in Eurasia about 60 million years ago, only five million years after the dinosaurs had gone extinct. Still, there are tens of ...
The Internal Union for the Conservation of Nature estimates that there are 115,000–130,000 hippos in central and southern Africa, a sharp drop from their census numbers in prehistoric times; they classify hippos as "vulnerable," experiencing a continuing decline in area, extent, and quality of habitat.
Hippopotamuses live exclusively in sub-Saharan Africa (though they once had a more widespread distribution). Their numbers have declined most precipitously in the Congo in central Africa, where poachers and hungry soldiers have left only about 1,000 hippos standing out of a previous population of almost 30,000. Unlike elephants, which are valued fo...
Barklow, William E. "Amphibious Communication with Sound in Hippos, Hippopotamus Amphibius." Animal Behaviour68.5 (2004): 1125–32. Print.Eltringham, S. Keith. "3.2: The Common Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus Amphibius)."Pigs, Peccaries, and Hippos: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. Ed. Oliver, William L.R. Gland, Switzerland: I...Lewison, R. and J. Pluhácek. "Hippopotamus amphibius." The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.e.T10103A18567364, 2017.Walzer, Chris, and Gabrielle Stalder. "Chapter 59 - Hippopotamidae (Hippopotamus)." Fowler's Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine, Volume 8. Eds. Miller, R. Eric and Murray E. Fowler. St. Louis: W.B. Saund...- Bob Strauss
Jul 9, 2020 · Diet: Hippos typically feed on patches of short grass near water. However, at times, they need to travel several miles to find food. Their ears help them hear the sound of falling fruit, while...
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Much like elephants, lions, and even humans, hippos are mammals with the remarkable ability to digest meat. It is crucial to note, however, that hippos abstain from consuming fish or insects, adhering to a carnivorous diet limited to land-dwelling prey. Positive Parenting Products on Amazon for their Creative Kids.
- Rivers, lakes & mangrove swamps
- sub-Saharan Africa, Colombia
- 40-50 years
- 13-18 ft (4 to 5.5 m)
- Hippos are the deadliest large land animal on the planet. The Hippopotamus is one of the most dangerous animals in the world, killing an estimated 500 people a year in Africa.
- Hippos love the water! The hippopotamus is a semi-aquatic mammal. This means that even though they’re a mammal like humans, dogs, cats, and other similar species, they spend a majority of their life in the water.
- There’s only one wild herd famous outside of Africa… And it has its roots entangled with Pablo Escobar! During his time, Escobar ran a private zoo which featured hippopotamuses.
- The hippo is a victim of ivory poaching. When you think about poaching and ivory, you probably think about rhinos and elephants. However, the hippopotamus is also a victim of this crime, which is another reason aside from habitat loss that they’re endangered.
Oct 8, 2024 · The hippopotamus is a large, aquatic mammal native to Africa. Hippos are known for their massive size and unique adaptations for water life, though they face threats from human activities, which has led to a decline in their populations.
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Mar 10, 2011 · What is a hippo? Hippopotamuses are large, semiaquatic mammals native to sub-Saharan Africa. Although their name comes from the Greek for “ river horse ”—because of the time they spend in ...
