My Planet Experience
Yawning Hippo
Adult male hippo yawns wildly in front of another, Upper Shire valley, Liwonde National Park, Malawi, Africa
The common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), or hippo is semiaquatic, inhabiting rivers, lakes and mangrove swamps, where territorial bulls preside over a stretch of river and groups of five to thirty females, their young, and a few young adult males.
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.
Female hippos reach sexual maturity at five to six years and have a gestation period of eight months.
"Yawning" serves as a threat display. When fighting, male hippos use their incisors to block each other's attacks and their large canines to inflict injuries.
Yawning Hippo
Adult male hippo yawns wildly in front of another, Upper Shire valley, Liwonde National Park, Malawi, Africa
The common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), or hippo is semiaquatic, inhabiting rivers, lakes and mangrove swamps, where territorial bulls preside over a stretch of river and groups of five to thirty females, their young, and a few young adult males.
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.
Female hippos reach sexual maturity at five to six years and have a gestation period of eight months.
"Yawning" serves as a threat display. When fighting, male hippos use their incisors to block each other's attacks and their large canines to inflict injuries.