Despite their physical similarity to pigs and other terrestrial even toed ungulates, their closest living relations are cetaceans (whales, porpoises, etc.) from which they diverged about 55 million years ago. The common ancestor of whales and hippos split from other even toed ungulates around 60 million years ago. The initial known hippo fossils, belonging to the genus Kenyapotamus in Africa, date to around 16 million years ago. Reproduction and childbirth both happen in water. They appear at dusk to graze on grass. While hippo rest near each other in the water, grazing is a solitary activity and hippos are not protective on land.
The hippo is recognizable by its barrel shaped torso, enormous mouth and teeth, nearly hairless body, stubby legs and tremendous size. It is the third largest land mammal by weight (between 1 and 3 tons), behind the white rhinoceros (1 to 4 tons) and elephants (3 to 7 tons). Despite its stocky shape and short legs, it can easily outrun a human. Hippos have been clocked at 18 mph (29 km/h) over short distances. The hippo is one of the most antagonistic creatures in the world and is often regarded as the most vicious animal in Africa. There are an estimated 125,000 to 150,000 hippos throughout Sub Saharan Africa; Zambia (40,000) and Tanzania (20,000 to 30,000) possess the major populations. They are still threatened by locale loss and poaching for their meat and ivory canine teeth.
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Hippo (Hippopotamus amphibius or hippo, horse, potamos, river) is a big, usually plant eating mammal in sub Saharan Africa, and one of only two extant species in the family Hippo (the other is the Pygmy Hippo). Hippo is the heaviest existing artiodactyls, despite being much shorter than the giraffe. Hippo is semi aquatic, inhabiting rivers and lakes where shifty bulls lead over extend of river and groups of 5 to 30 females and young. During the day they stay cool by staying in the water or mud.
Hippo (Hippopotamus amphibius or hippo, horse, potamos, river) is a big, usually plant eating mammal in sub Saharan Africa, and one of only two extant species in the family Hippo (the other is the Pygmy Hippo). Hippo is the heaviest existing artiodactyls, despite being much shorter than the giraffe. Hippo is semi aquatic, inhabiting rivers and lakes where shifty bulls lead over extend of river and groups of 5 to 30 females and young. During the day they stay cool by staying in the water or mud.
