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Hippopotamus
Hippopotamus amphibius
“Gregarious”
Hippopotamus' are heavy bodied, short-legged, short-tailed animals and may reach a length of 15 feet and a weight of 3-5 tons. Hippopotamus' have large heads, large mouths and small eyes and small ears. The ears and nostrils protrude so that they are above water when the animal is floating and the rest of the body is submerged. Their nostrils are surrounded by sparse, bristly hairs and are equipped with special flaps that close down when the animal is underwater. Their skin is nearly hairless and very thick
(2 inches), and contains numerous glands which release a protective oily pink secretion that appears red in sunlight. This pigment actually serves to protect the animal's skin in both water and dry conditions.
The Hippopotamus is semi-aquatic, spending most of the day with only its' eyes, ears and nostrils above the surface. During the day it feeds on aquatic vegetation and often swims more than 25 miles in search of food.
Hippopotamus' travel in herds of about 40 animals. The cow isolates before calving, bearing one young at a time. She'll stay alone with the calf for 10 to 44 days before rejoining the herd. Babies are programmed to nurse under water, surfacing every few seconds to breathe.
Though gregarious, hippopotamus' tend to be aggressive and its' gaping "yawn" is in fact a threat signal. The female will fight ferociously if her calf is attacked, primary predators being lion, hyenas and crocodiles. Staying close to mother is best protection as a hippo's jaw is capable of biting a 10-foot crocodile in two!