Scientific name Hippopotamus amphibious
IUCN status Vulnerable
Habitat West, Central, East and South
Africa, in rivers, lakes and short grasslands
Diet Herbivore – mainly grasses
Graceful swimmers and fast runners, hippos graze during
the night and spend most of the day in water to prevent
their skin from drying out.
Their eyes, ears and nostrils are positioned on top of
the head so they can see, hear and smell when the rest
of the body is submerged. Their reddish skin secretion
acts as a sunscreen and may prevent any cuts and grazes
from becoming
infected in dirty water.
Did you know? The word ‘hippopotamus’
is Greek for ‘river-horse’.
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