Hippo Fun Facts
- Hippopotamus means “river horse” in Greek.
- Hippos are third largest living land mammal, after elephants and white rhinos. - Hippos can weigh up to 8,000 lbs. - Hippos are social animals. - Hippos are herbivores (plant-eaters). - Hippos are nocturnal (most active at night). They spend the day resting and staying cool in water or mud, emerging from the water at night to graze on grass. - Hippos are semi-aquatic, spending much of their time in water. - A hippo’s nose, ears and eyes are on top of its head and protrude from the water while the rest of its head and body lie beneath the surface. - Hippo sweat acts as a sunscreen, sunblock and antibiotic. - Hippos run very fast (faster than a human). They can run up to 14 miles per hour. - Hippos can open their mouths 4 feet wide. - Hippos average lifespan is 45 years. - A hippo’s foot has 4 webbed toes. - Hippos are gray in color with a pink belly. - A hippo’s tail is short and shaped like a paddle. |