Massive hippos bask in the afternoon sun beside the river
Hippos are massive animals that live in Africa. They are the third largest land mammals on earth. Only elephants and white rhinos are larger. They can reach an incredible 4.9m (16 feet) in length and a mass of 1500kg (3,300lb). Due to their aggression and their size, adult hippos are rarely preyed upon. Young hippos are occasionally taken by lions or crocodiles. Surprisingly, the hippo's closest relatives are whales and dolphins. Aquatic mammals like whales evolved from land animals that were very similar to the hippo. Originally, it was believed that hippos were closely related to pigs due to molar structure and other similarities, but DNA and fossil records have c hanged this line of thinking in the past century.
Hippos are most active at night, roaming the shallows along riverbeds in Africa. They are herbivores, eating aquatic vegetation, and occasionally farm crops, which contributes to conflict with humans. Known to be aggressive, even when not provoked, hippos will occasionally charge humans or boats.
The hippo produces a red oil, as can be seen on these sunbathing adults, which acts as a sunblock, protecting them from UV rays.
Fascinating creatures, they are best regarded from a distance as they can be ferocious and deadly.
-
1:19
WildCreatures
9 days ago $1.91 earnedMajestic swan shows off his gorgeous plumage
3.42K3 -
55:28
Ben Shapiro
1 hour agoEp. 1965 - Biden WANTS To Debate Trump!
6.51K43 -
1:02:59
Russell Brand
5 hours ago“This Is Going To DESTROY Our Country!” RFK Jr On 2024 Election - Stay Free #366
88.2K382 -
LIVE
AirCondaTv Gaming
2 hours agoOnce Human - I was Human Once, but I don't Move No More
1,029 watching -
LIVE
Spittin' Chiclets
3 hours agoSpittin’ Chiclets Episode 500
608 watching -
1:58:43
The Charlie Kirk Show
2 hours agoThe Trump/Biden Debate Is On + RFK's Polls + Trans Health Terror | Coghan, Gaines, Brock, Anderson
32.6K46 -
55:00
First Class Fatherhood
2 hours agoSteve Guttenberg Interview | Legendary Actor Put His Life on Pause to Take Cae of His Dying Father
4.91K3 -
24:12
Neil
2 hours agoThe US Economy Is Imploding! (RED LOBSTER Disaster...)
2.97K5 -
44:04
TENET Media
2 hours agoProtesters Dark Plans Exposed | Dave Rubin & Isabel Brown
5.45K6 -
1:00:23
The Dan Bongino Show
5 hours agoEVERYTHING Biden Touches He Destroys (Ep. 2250) - 05/15/2024
353K857