Hippo on the Banks of the Mara River (Hippopotamus amphibius)
Masai Mara National Reserve
Kenya
East Africa
The word hippo translates to river horse in ancient Greek. The giant animal weighs a whopping 8,000 pounds. The hippo can only be found in Africa. Hippos are native to over 30 countries in Africa. These herbivores live up to 50 years in the wild. There are only two species of hippos on the planet. These include the common hippopotamus and the pygmy hippo.
The hippopotamus is one of the largest quadrupeds and, despite its stocky shape and short legs, it can easily outrun a human. Hippos have been recorded as running at 30 km/h (19 mph) over short distances. The hippopotamus is a highly aggressive and unpredictable animal and is ranked among the most dangerous animals in Africa.
They are threatened by habitat loss and poaching for their meat and ivory canine teeth. The demand for hippo teeth escalated after the ban on the international trade of elephant ivory in 1989.
The common hippopotamus is semiaquatic, inhabiting rivers, lakes and mangrove swamps, where territorial bulls preside over a stretch of river and groups of five to 30 females and young. During the day, they remain cool by staying in the water or mud; reproduction and childbirth both occur in water. They emerge at dusk to graze on grasses. While hippopotamuses rest near each other in the water, grazing is a solitary activity, and hippos are not territorial on land. – Wikipedia
Hippo on the Banks of the Mara River (Hippopotamus amphibius)
Masai Mara National Reserve
Kenya
East Africa
The word hippo translates to river horse in ancient Greek. The giant animal weighs a whopping 8,000 pounds. The hippo can only be found in Africa. Hippos are native to over 30 countries in Africa. These herbivores live up to 50 years in the wild. There are only two species of hippos on the planet. These include the common hippopotamus and the pygmy hippo.
The hippopotamus is one of the largest quadrupeds and, despite its stocky shape and short legs, it can easily outrun a human. Hippos have been recorded as running at 30 km/h (19 mph) over short distances. The hippopotamus is a highly aggressive and unpredictable animal and is ranked among the most dangerous animals in Africa.
They are threatened by habitat loss and poaching for their meat and ivory canine teeth. The demand for hippo teeth escalated after the ban on the international trade of elephant ivory in 1989.
The common hippopotamus is semiaquatic, inhabiting rivers, lakes and mangrove swamps, where territorial bulls preside over a stretch of river and groups of five to 30 females and young. During the day, they remain cool by staying in the water or mud; reproduction and childbirth both occur in water. They emerge at dusk to graze on grasses. While hippopotamuses rest near each other in the water, grazing is a solitary activity, and hippos are not territorial on land. – Wikipedia