The hippo is one of the largest land animals on our planet. Its weight sometimes reaches 4 tons. This amazing animal lives in the vastness of Africa and leads a semi-aquatic life.
Europeans first learned about hippopotamuses back in the period of antiquity. These animals were mentioned by the Greeks and Romans in the mid-5th century BC. Although it has been known for a long time about hippos, many interesting facts were revealed only with the development of science and were discovered not so long ago.
An adult male hippo can easily eat a 3 meter long crocodile.
Hippos, when immersed in water, tightly close the nostrils.
The power of the hippo bite is 230 kilograms.
Proportional head of the hippo is one of the biggest goals in the world.
Possessing huge lungs, the hippopotamus can hold its breath for up to 5 minutes.
The mouth of the hippo can open almost 120 centimeters.
Hippos and whales have descended from a common ancestor.
Hippos can make sounds, both above water, and under water.
Hippos also hear over water and under water.
All hippos are born in water.
In search of suitable food, hippopotami can pass 10 km per night.
The older the female or male, the more weight they have.
Going ashore, the hippopotamuses lose more water than any other mammals.
Hippos live exclusively in fresh water and are absolutely not adapted for living in salt water.
Although the hippopotamus is only half as small as an elephant, it only needs one-sixth of what the elephant eats to eat. Overnight it is about 50 kilograms.
Grass hippos plait their lips. At the same time, tusks do not apply to eating food.
At short distances, hippos can reach speeds of up to 30 km / h.
The hippopotamus has one of the toughest skin on the planet.
In hot weather or when a hippopotamus is in the sun for a long time, its skin turns pink. It is not a tan, but a special substance that is secreted from the skin to protect against skin burning.
The hippo’s skin has antibiotic properties, it promotes disinfection and rapid healing of wounds.
The most dangerous animals in Africa for a person is not a lion or a crocodile, but a hippopotamus.
The lifespan of the hippopotamus depends directly on the wear of the teeth. If the teeth are completely erased, the animal will not be able to chew food, as a result of which it will die of hunger.
In the wild, the adult hippopotamus has practically no enemies. The extraction of a lion or crocodile can only become a weak animal or calf.
The hippopotamus never consumes aquatic vegetation. They graze only on land.
The skin of hippopotamuses in many African countries was used and used for making different crafts. For example, for circles on which diamonds are processed.
