HIPPOPOTAMUS

Hippopotamus amphibius

  • Common name:
    HIPPOPOTAMUS

    Scientific name:
    Hippopotamus amphibius

    Class:
    Mammals

    Order:
    Artiodattili

    Family:
    Hippopotamidae

    Provenance:
    Southern Centra Africa

    Diet:
    herbs – fruits – vegetables

    Habitat:
    forests umide, swamp, marsh

    Reproduction:
    “240 days, 1 puppy for childbirth

  • The Hippopotamus lives on the plains close to water or in swampy ground.
    The life of the hippopotamus revolves mainly around water in which this animal passes almost the entire day.
    This large mammal is able to remain underwater for as long as 7 minutes and to walk on the bottom of the lake. If its skin is exposed too long to the sun, skin glands excrete a red oily substance as protection.
    At sunset, the hippopotamus leaves the water to reach the grazing areas where each night it can eat up to 40 kg of grass. It is territorial and aggressive. It has lower canine teeth that can be 70cm long (root included) and weigh 3 kg.
    After a gestation of 240 days the female gives birth to 1 calf. This usually occurs in the water.