This time on Candid Animal Cam, Romi shares some great hippopotamus facts with us:

A few facts about hippos:

  • Common hippos live in Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • The common hippo is the 3rd largest living land mammal (behind elephants and white rhinos).
  • Hippos can move quickly in both water and on land.
  • Hippos lack sweat glands – they spend lots of time in the water to keep their skin cool.
  • Hippos love to eat grass – they eat about 40 kg (88 lbs) of food per night! 
  • Hippos are very social – they live in large groups of 20-30 individuals. Sometimes they form groups of 200 individuals!
  • To mark their territory, hippos spray their poop around. They flick their tail from side to side while they poo.
  • Male hippos fiercely defend territories.
  • Adult hippos have no known predators. Lions, crocodiles, and hyenas can prey on baby hippos.

Did you hear?! Comprehension questions:

  1. What is the role of hippos in the ecosystem?
  2. What does an amphibious call mean?
  3. Why do hippos sometimes have pink patches on their skin?
Image: Rhett A. Butler
Learn more on Mongabay.com:

https://news.mongabay.com/2021/09/common-hippopotamus-candid-animal-cam/

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