O hipopótamo comum (Hippopotamus amphibius) é um mamífero de grande porte, nativo dos rios da África Subsaariana. São animais corpulentos que vivem na água, com dentes longos e proeminentes, narinas no topo do focinho, orelhas pequenas e pele cinza-amarronzada espessa. Os machos medem de 4 a 5 m de comprimento e pesam entre 1.500 e 2.000 kg, enquanto as fêmeas medem entre 3,3 e 4,2 m e pesam de 1.000 a 1.500 kg.
Latin Name
Hippopotamus amphibius
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hippopotamus
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Animal Facts
The hippopotamus' closest living relatives are whales and dolphins.
The skin of the hippopotamus is 6cm thick and secretes a red substance that acts as sunscreen.
Hippos can open their mouths to 150º, this is called a 'hippo yawn' and is usually an aggression display.
Hippos have very large teeth; their canines can be 50cm long.
Hippos spend daylight hours in the water keeping cool and come out of the water at night to graze. They may travel up to 5km, and defecate on leaving so they can smell their way back to the water.