Special Features
- The thick skin secretes a sticky fluid which gives the hippo a pink color. This fluid protects against sunburn, helps retain water on dry land and disinfects wounds.
- The Hippo's skin loses water much faster than on any other mammal.
- Can stay underwater up to 5 minutes.
- Walks along the bottom of the lakes and rivers.
- Have webbing between the toes.
- Although it has a three-chambered stomach, the Hippo is non-ruminating.
The enormous canine teeth can measure 20 inches long and can cause lethal wounds.
Will open jaws wide to display teeth to deter a rival or predator.
- Often turtles, birds and young crocodiles will bask in the sun on the hippo's back.
- Name "Hippopotamus" comes from the Greek word meaning "river horse". However it is not related to a horse, but more closely to a pig.
Social Structure & Behavior
The core of the herd is a band of females and their young. Usually live in groups of 10-20, but can be as large as 150. Hippos are very territorial. Territory protected mainly by a dominate male that is at least 20 years old.
Breeding & Care of Young:
Sexual maturity for males is 7 years although they usually don't breed until 20 years. Females is 9 years.
Gestation is 240 days resulting in a single birth. The baby is born underwater and must swim to surface to take its first breath.
Although the baby only nurses for 8 months, it will stay with its mother for several years.
Frequently see baby riding on mother's back in the water.
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