Hippopotamus Facts

Hippopotamuses were once again shone in a brighter light in the Madagascar series of animated features, telling the tale of how a number of African New York-based animals faired well in surviving in the wild.

From the first Madagascar movie, to its 2008 released sequel Madagascar 2: Escape from Africa, the titular portrayal of a hippopotamus as part of the series’ major cast restoked the burning down fascinations once popularly directed at the large African mammal.

In tune with the “hippopotamus’ interest” revival, here are some interesting hippopotamus facts which aren’t really all that well known when talking about them.

Hippos are the 3rd Largest Species in the World – following after elephants and rhinos, hippos are the 3rd largest animal known to man, though a species of the hippopotamus isn’t as large as the Hippopotamus amphibius often found in the eastern areas of Africa.

In terms of measurements, hippopotamuses can grow as large as 13 feet wide and 5 feet tall, and can weigh up to 7000 pounds, roughly around 3 and half tons. The pygmy hippo, the second known hippo species measures roughly 5.7 feet wide and can weigh somewhere between 400 to 600 pounds.

Built for the Water - unlike most mammals, hippos don’t have sweat glands, which is the reason why they are often found spending time in water bodies of soft mud, which is their body’s natural means of keeping cool.

Another thing about hippos is that their eyes, ears and noses are positioned on top of their heads, which allows them to easily hear, see and breath even if most of their body is submerged underwater.

Also, when talking about their underwater “design” hippos are actually born underwater, which says a lot about how tuned they are for live in rivers and/or lakes.

Hippo Tusks – hippos, like elephants, have tusks which can be described as canine tusks. Male hippos typically have longer tusks which can grow as long as 1 feet long.

Usually, hippos travel in herds, and when certain domestic disputes within herds or with strangers who come by herds arise, hippo tusks typically take on an important role.

As a species, the hippopotamus is a highly protected one, with enforcement agencies cutting no slack on hippo poachers caught with hippo hides and/or body parts. Though large, hippopotamuses are actually pretty graceful creatures under the water, capable of handing themselves, contrary to most assumptions which link them to be lazy, immobile animals.

Hippopotamus Video