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Hippos defecate in the water. Their dung provides essential basic
elements for the food chain. Tiny microorganisms feed on it and
then larger animals feed on those organisms. On land, hippos' large
bodies make trails through vegetation that other animals may use
for easy access to water holes. Because hippos' favorite food is
short grass, they keep these grasses well trimmed which may help
to deter grassfires. Hippos are an important part of the African
ecosystem.
Hippopotamuses love water, which is why the Greeks named them
the "river horse." Hippos spend up to 16 hours a day submerged in
rivers and lakes to keep their massive bodies cool under the hot
African sun. Hippos are graceful in water, good swimmers, and can
hold their breath underwater for up to five minutes. However, they
are often large enough to simply walk or stand on the lake floor, or
lie in the shallows. Their eyes and nostrils are located high on their
heads, which allows them to see and breathe while mostly
submerged.
Hippos also bask on the shoreline and secrete an oily red
substance, which gave rise to the myth that they sweat blood. The
liquid is actually a skin moistener and sunblock that may also
provide protection against germs.
At sunset, hippopotamuses leave the water and travel overland to
graze. They may travel 6 miles (10 kilometers) in a night, along
single-file pathways, to consume some 80 pounds (35 kilograms) of
grass. Considering their enormous size, a hippo's food intake is
relatively low. If threatened on land hippos may run for the water—
they can match a human's speed for short distances.
elements for the food chain. Tiny microorganisms feed on it and
then larger animals feed on those organisms. On land, hippos' large
bodies make trails through vegetation that other animals may use
for easy access to water holes. Because hippos' favorite food is
short grass, they keep these grasses well trimmed which may help
to deter grassfires. Hippos are an important part of the African
ecosystem.
Hippopotamuses love water, which is why the Greeks named them
the "river horse." Hippos spend up to 16 hours a day submerged in
rivers and lakes to keep their massive bodies cool under the hot
African sun. Hippos are graceful in water, good swimmers, and can
hold their breath underwater for up to five minutes. However, they
are often large enough to simply walk or stand on the lake floor, or
lie in the shallows. Their eyes and nostrils are located high on their
heads, which allows them to see and breathe while mostly
submerged.
Hippos also bask on the shoreline and secrete an oily red
substance, which gave rise to the myth that they sweat blood. The
liquid is actually a skin moistener and sunblock that may also
provide protection against germs.
At sunset, hippopotamuses leave the water and travel overland to
graze. They may travel 6 miles (10 kilometers) in a night, along
single-file pathways, to consume some 80 pounds (35 kilograms) of
grass. Considering their enormous size, a hippo's food intake is
relatively low. If threatened on land hippos may run for the water—
they can match a human's speed for short distances.
| Conservation Status : Conservation Dependent |
