Why don’t you see hippo’s hiding in trees? Because they’re very good at it.
– Dr Hipposon Leading Expert On Hippos
Hippopotamuses (Hippopotamus amphibius) are large, round and water-loving animals that are native to Africa. The word “hippopotamus” comes from the Greek word for “water horse” or “river horse” – although horses and hippos aren’t closely related.
Hippos are graceful in water, and can hold their breath underwater for up to five minutes. However, they are often large enough to simply walk or stand on the lake floor, or lie in the shallows. Their eyes and nostrils are located high on their heads, which allows them to see and breathe while mostly submerged.
Adult hippos move at speeds up to 8 km/h (5 mph) in water; typically resurfacing to breathe every three to five minutes. The process of surfacing and breathing is subconscious: a hippo sleeping underwater will rise and breathe without waking up.
The hippos are also very aggressive and are deadliest large land mammals on the planet. It is estimated that hippo attacks kill more people than sharks and lions combined. #brutal #funfact
Difference Between Hippo And Zippo βοΈ