best for ANIMALS
In honour of World Hippo Day this week, we delve into the world of the ‘river horse’...
OPEN WIDE!
The game Hungry Hippos never felt so apt – these creatures have a typical mouth size of one metre, one of the biggest for a land animal. Their tusk-like front teeth, at up to 50cm long, are designed to attack and, unsurprisingly, make it hard for them to chew food. But why chew when you can crush? Their mouth strength is said to rival a crocodile’s!
TWO’S COMPANY
There are two types of hippo – the common hippo, and the pygmy, which is a smaller version and is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List. Both are native to Africa, usually found by rivers and lakes. Baby hippos are known as calves, and mothers are notoriously protective of them…
HOLDON
While hippos can’t breathe underwater – which is why their nostrils are found towards the top of their head, for easy air access – they’re able to hold their breath for up to five minutes. Thought that was impressive? The crown goes to the loggerhead turtle, which is up to an hour!
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
There’s no meat for these creatures – hippos have a green diet, consisting of grasses and plants, eaten mostly at night-time. Some hippos can each get through three kilos-worth of food a day!
SIZE MATTERS
According to Whipsnade Zoo, where mother and daughter Lola, 20 and Hodor, six, reside, common hippos can weigh up to a whopping 3,200kg! Pygmies may be smaller but on average, a grown adult still comes in at a hefty 200kg.
