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Let's have a chat about hippos not the hungry board game type but the short, stocky water loving mammal who's name is derived from the Greek word for “river horse”.
It's closest living relatives are pigs whales and dolphins and they need to stay moist so much so that its skin releases and oily red fluid. Which at first humans thought was blood but is more like a sunscreen with moisturiser and antibiotic combined.
Hippos can remain underwater for 5 minutes before needing to come up for air. Even when they are sleeping their bodies will automatically bob to the surface so they can take a breath, then sink to the bottom again.
They are also one of the most aggressive animals on the planet and the most deadly in Africa, reportedly killing up to 3,000 people each year. Also they can run pretty damn fast up to around 30km/h over a short distant so you may run but they are likely to catch you.
I have only ever seen them at the zoo.
I've seen them run on land on nature shows and it is a scary thing to be chased by one. I can see how they can kill so many people--those jaws!
ReplyDeleteImagine poor Mrs Hippo being mounted by this giant creature.
ReplyDeleteThe thought of that cracks me up
DeleteSuch unique animals, Jo-Anne.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
I agree
DeleteThanks for sharing this information about hippos. I had no idea they could be so aggressive.
ReplyDeleteI think many people wouldn't think of them as dangerous as when seen on telly they often don't seem that way
DeleteNever knew they were dangerous!
ReplyDelete