Hippopotamuses Wild Facts and Information

Hippopotamuses are African most dangerous and unpredictable animals about which we know from our childhood. But do you have overall information about this animal? If, not then here you get this post all about hippopotamus which can help you in knowing about this animal and you can also share with kids round you  who have just started knowing about these animals.

Hippopotamus

Let’s head towards the information about this animal, first of all its scientific name and that is Hippopotamus amphibious. The word Hippopotamus or Hippo is derived from an ancient Greek word which means “River Horse”. This animal is the habitat of Sub-Saharan Africa and is mainly herbivorous and comes under Mammalia class. There are only two species of are found on Hippopotamidae family earth and one is Hippopotamus itself and another is pygmy hippopotamus. If Elephants are the largest mammal on earth and rhinoceros, are the second largest then, do you know which animal is the third largest mammal on earth? Yes, it is Hippopotamus.

Basic Information about Hippopotamus:

Name	Hippopotamus
Average Length	13.5 ft
Average Weight	1600 kg
Area	Africa
Life Span	40 to 50 years
Kingdom	Animalia
Class	Mammalia
Family	Hippopotamidae

Things that help you out in resembling a Hippopotamus are tremendous size, nearly hairless bodies, stubby legs, enormous mouths and teeth and barrel-shaped torsos. In overall, their physical appearance is like pigs or you can say hippos are the larger form of pigs.

These animals can be considered as semi aquatic as they like staying in water resources like mangrove swamps, rivers, and lakes. They prefer staying inside the water to keep them cool. The most astonishing fact about hippopotamus is that their process of mating takes place under water and even they give birth to their child inside the water.

Until, 1909 Hippopotamus were grouped under the family of pigs, but later on hippopotamus were put into another family named Hippopotamidae. According to a research on hippo’s DNA it is found that the ancestors of hippopotamus and whales are similar. What, Ancestors of Whale and Hippopotamus are same? Isn’t it awkward? Yes, but it is true and it’s a proved one.

The genus Hippopotamus belongs to is also called as Hippopotamus. The name of family, genus, and the animal itself sounds very similar. Hippopotamus is considered as a vulnerable species of world and it is according to a list name IUCN Red list of World Conservation Union.

So, this was all about Hippopotamus the third largest mammal of world. It’s quite exciting to see a group of hippos floating in water. Well, hope this post have provided you all the necessary and unknown information about this semi aquatic mammal. Animal lovers must have liked this post and those who are least interested in animals also have impressed with this post on hippopotamus. Hippos are not social animals but still they prefer being together. The secret behind togetherness of this animal is still unknown. Their favorite place to live is inside the water whatever place it may be river, lake, or mud. Sometimes this animal looks very nasty and dirty by looks because of its broad body structure. Go for much more information not only hippopotamus but other animals also.