Hippos - solid animals living in Africa.They represent a class of mammals and belong to the order Artiodactyla.Many believe that the origin of hippos (hippopotamus) is associated with pigs.
In fact, the animal rather resembles cetaceans.The one who first sees the hippopotamus, will be struck by its thick trunk, resembling the shape of the barrel.The animal short but massive legs, which are tetradigitate hooves.
Between themselves, they combined a solid film.This facilitates the movement of mud beast places in which fingers apart.The film does not allow the behemoth fall into a viscous soil.
maximum weight hippo
Travelers recognized that inspires thoughts of a hippopotamus their indomitable and power.It is the huge behemoth weighs 4 tons!Males are larger than females, although at the beginning of females are ahead of them in growth.
But after reaching puberty, the growth rate decreased, and the males continue to grow for many years.The body length reaches 4.5 meters hippopotamus.The average weight of a hippopotamus ranges from 2.5 to 3 tons.
Despite his impressive body mass, a solid beast can accelerate to 48 kilometers per hour!This is truly a destructive force that can sweep away everything in its path.
avilable body
Perhaps you should pay attention to the fact that the eyes, ears and nostrils of the hippo are almost on the same line.This allows the animal at the same time to see, hear and breathe underwater.
Hippos endowed by nature with a gray-brown color, which was reflected slightly pink, sometimes purple hues.On the skin of the animal is not hair.Only on the muzzle and tail grow a small beard.
Skin of hippopotamus has a specific glands that secrete the secret of red.Most often this occurs after swimming beast.Scientists believe that it is an antiseptic that protects the animal from harmful bacteria.
Interestingly, the hippo can open his mouth so that the angle formed between the jaws about 150 degrees!If we take into account the fact that the maximum weight in kilograms hippo is huge (4000 kg), such a sight is not for the faint-hearted viewers!
teeth in the jaws of the animal are far from one another.They do not have roots and grow throughout life.The longest hippo tusk reaches almost 20 centimeters.It is no less popular than the elephant.
Habitats
Hippos choose shallow places - pools of up to 1.5 meters.Coast should be covered with dense vegetation.Probably many have seen on television, that animals are not fully immersed under water.
They just moved lazily along the bottom, showing the torso and head.But this does not mean that hippos are bad swimmers.Even the heavy animals (max. Weight of a hippopotamus - 4 tons) are moving well in the water.Diving, they can survive under water for about 5 minutes.
Subsistence animal finds on land.Hippo selected from water on the surface and within several hours uses vegetable food.
Lifestyle hippo
It is a herd animal.Group hippopotamus lives in a particular area of the reservoir and consists of mature males, 10-20 females surrounded with the younger generation.Males from different herds often show aggression to each other, setting up a deadly fight.
in this important struggle the maximum weight of a hippopotamus.If the attacker surpasses the master stage of its body weight, he has a great chance to beat the opponent, and to arrogate to itself all the females and babies.
known that hippos are able to produce sounds.Typically, they use them as signals: moo - attracting the opposite sex.Roar, accompanied by snorting, means hippopotamus angry and ready to go on the attack.Even under water animal noises, similar to dolphins.
Hippos are most active at night.At this time, their skin is protected from UV rays.It dries and cracks are not covered.
nightfall animals out to pasture.Consumption takes 70 kg of grass a day (if the max. Weight in kg behemoth is 4000).These heavy beasts long digestive tract, so such a large amount of food is digested easily.During the day, hippos prefer to doze peacefully.
mating season and the fruit of love
Females reach sexual maturity at the age of 7 to 9 years in males.Pairing the animals twice a year, in February and August.Pregnancy lasts for about 8 months.The female gives birth to a calf in shallow water.
newborn length of 120 centimeters.The maximum weight of the hippo-kid up to 50 kilograms!This is such a big baby.
Hippo speeds the adaptation period and the next day walking next to mom.Yet young vulnerable.It may inadvertently pin male.
In addition, various predators are not averse to hunt for baby-hippo.So long female protects him.If there is a danger it closes the cub his massive body.The maximum weight of a female hippo reaches 3.5 tons.
Hippo in adverse conditions
Unfortunately, often as an enemy for the person presents a hippopotamus.Hunting of this animal - a favorite activity of some visitors and local people.Mainly prey on animals because of the succulent meat.
However, an enraged hippo also poses a real danger to humans.From its strong and long fangs killed a considerable number of hunters.Scientists say that at the moment hippos are on the verge of extinction.
Firstly, many animals are killed by poaching.Secondly, a number of hippos die each year because they dry more natural reservoirs.Organization of labor protection are concerned by these events, and are willing to take serious measures to solve these problems.
