Hippopotamuses are a terrifying presence in Africa. Weighing up to several tons and possessing tusks that can grow half a meter long, they fear no creature.
The hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) is a large herbivorous mammal found in sub-Saharan Africa, renowned for its ferocity.
With their incredibly strong jaws, hippos can crush a 3-meter-long crocodile effortlessly. They are also not afraid of humans. According to statistics in Africa, hippos are responsible for the deaths of approximately 2,900 people annually, more than any other carnivorous animal.
However, if we set aside their fearsome reputation, hippos also display an unexpected grace.
Surprisingly Low Food Intake: Only 15-40 kg of Grass
Though they feed on land, hippos are aquatic animals that cannot survive without water. They require a stable water source, such as a river or lake with a minimum depth of 1.5 meters.
During the day, they prefer to wallow in water or mud, and only at night do they venture onto land to graze.
Among terrestrial mammals, hippos (1.5-3 tons) rank third in size, following white rhinoceroses (1.5 – 3.5 tons) and elephants (3 – 9 tons).
Despite their round appearance, hippos eat very little.
Typically, large herbivores need to consume about 5% of their body weight in food. This is because plant material is not very nutrient-dense, so animals must “compensate quantity for quality.” Accordingly, a 9-ton elephant will consume around 450 kg of vegetation daily.
However, hippos only need to eat about 1.5% of their body weight, which is approximately 15-40 kg of grass. By general standards, they should be grazing 75 – 150 kg of grass each night.
The reason hippos eat so little is due to their energy-saving habits. All day, these massive animals do little more than drift in the water. Thanks to their large bodies, they float easily without needing to swim.
Moving in Water Like a Ballet Dancer
A hippopotamus can hold its breath for up to 6 minutes at a time. While submerged, they close both their nostrils and ears to prevent water from entering.
Interestingly, in contrast to their heavy movements on land, hippos appear as graceful ballet dancers when underwater. Instead of thrashing about with their limbs, this large creature moves with a calm, rhythmic motion. They bounce off the bottom, propelling their bodies upward and forward, appearing quite relaxed and effortless.
Due to their size and their tendency to navigate fixed underwater routes, hippos maintain a streamlined movement with the current. However, despite their gentle demeanor, they still weigh over a ton. Consequently, river and lake beds become compacted, making it difficult for aquatic plants to thrive. When they change their path, they can alter the direction of the current as well.
Underwater, hippos move at a relatively slow speed of about 8 km/h. After 3-5 minutes of submersion, they need to surface for air. Baby hippos are quicker, surfacing after just 2-3 minutes.
“Blood Sweat” Acts as Skin Moisturizer
Though they are mammals, hippos have very few hairs. Instead, they are equipped with skin that can be up to 6 cm thick.
This thick skin makes it challenging for wild predators to bite through to access hippo flesh. However, thick epidermis exposed to the sun can lead to sunburn. Compared to other mammals, hippos sweat seven times faster. This is why they spend most of their time in water.
The red skin appears when hippos apply their “sunscreen.”
When simply soaking isn’t enough, hippos automatically secrete a red liquid to “protect from the sun.” This liquid is often referred to as “blood sweat”, but it is neither blood nor sweat; rather, it is a highly acidic fluid. It acts as a mucous layer that inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria and absorbs ultraviolet rays.
Blood sweat of hippos.
Initially, this fluid is not red but clear. It only begins to turn red or orange after being exposed to air for a few minutes, eventually becoming brown. This layer acts like sunscreen, preventing the hippo’s skin from cracking.
Love for Offspring Above All Else
Hippos are polygamous. Each male strives to establish a large “harem” for himself. If strong enough, a “hippo king” can possess a harem of up to 200 “wives.” However, they usually have a group of about 7-15 individuals (including both females and young).
Male hippos are not fond of each other, even between “father and son.”
There is no camaraderie between male hippos. Even between a father hippo and its offspring, the father constantly looks for opportunities to… harm his young with his 30-50 cm long tusks. In contrast, mother hippos will go to great lengths for their offspring. They become extremely formidable when it comes to protecting their young.
Interestingly, hippos give birth in water, although newborn hippos do not immediately know how to swim. Thus, immediately after giving birth, the mother must quickly dive down to push the baby hippo to the surface for air.
Mother and baby hippos are inseparable.
Once rescued by their mother, baby hippos immediately begin to learn to swim. Mother hippos also nurse their young in the water, not on land. If they do not quickly become proficient swimmers, they risk drowning or starving. But there is no need to worry! Adaptation is a natural skill of all wild creatures. Within just a few minutes, a baby hippo can swim “like a pro.” From that moment on, it becomes the treasure of its mother, always close by, lovingly cared for and protected.
