Scientific Name: Hippopotamus
Amphibius
Weight: Male – 1.5 to 3 tons
Female – 1 to 2 tons
Height: 1.4 to 1.6m
Gestation period: 8 Months; have 1 young
Lifespan: 30-35 years
Habitat: Grassland, Dense Forests, Wetlands
Food: Herbivore
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| Hippopotamus |
Hippopotamus is an African mammal that
lives partly in water and partly on land. It’s one of the world's largest and
heaviest land animals, weighing up to about 3,000 kg. There are two species of
hippopotamuses. The smaller species, called the pygmy hippo, stands barely
waist-high to an adult human. The other is known as the river or common
hippopotamus. Although strictly a plant eater, the hippopotamus has massive
jaws with formidable tusks. The animal has an unpredictable temperament and is
capable of biting through small boats and slicing crocodiles in two.
About 1 million years ago, hippos
lived in Europe, Asia, Africa, and on the island of Madagascar. Since then the
range of hippos has steadily shrunk, and the animals can now be found only in
central, western, and southern Africa.
Source: AWF || KWS || Travel Discover Kenya
