The Hippopotamus, or hippo, from the ancient Greek word "river horse" is shaped like a barrel and is quite bulky.
They have enormous mouths and teeth,
and their bodies are nearly hairless,
with stubby legs...
Despite its stocky shape and short legs the hippopotamus can easily outrun a human. Hippos have been been clocked at 19 mph over short distances.
The hippopotamus is one of the most aggressive animals in the world and ranks as the most dangerous in Africa. Even with their tremendous size, they are still threatened by habitat loss and poaching for their meat and IVORY canine teeth.
The hippopotamus is semiaquatic, inhabiting rivers, lakes and swamps. Territorial bulls preside over a stretch of river along with groups of five to thirty females and young (a group is called a pod, herd, dale or bloat). They remain cool by staying in the water or mud during the day (even reproduction and childbirth occur in the water). They emerge from the water at dusk to graze on the grasses.
(Copyright 2015)
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