Humble Hippo 【 Kenya * Africa 】

Hippos are also the animals we saw many times during our hunting tour in Kenya.

Hippo is the largest living freshwater species Omnivorous food Sex mammal is also an existing land animal next only to African elephant, Asian elephant, African forest elephant, white rhinoceros and Indian rhinoceros, with general body length three point three M, shoulder height one point five M, average weight is about one point three five Ton, generally weighing zero point nine ton -1.8 Between tons, the largest wild individual weighs up to two point six six Tons. The body is thick and round, the limbs are short, and the feet are four Toe, large head, small eyes and ears, especially large mouth, small tail, large and long lower canine teeth fifty ～ sixty Cm, weight two point five Kg, thick skin, about forty ～ fifty Mm, except that there are sparse hairs on the snout, tail and ears, the whole body skin is exposed and is purplish brown.

Hippopotamus lives in Africa's tropical water and grass rich areas, often ten More than one hippopotamus forms a group, sometimes forming a large group of hundreds. The individual hippopotamus is mostly an adult male animal expelled from the group; Almost all in the water during the day, eating aquatic plants and daily food intake eighty When there is a shortage of water and grass, they will go ashore at night to feed on plants, crops and even other animal carcasses, and will also actively prey on others Herbivores ； Three chambers in the stomach, no rumination, irritable, afraid of cold and fond of warm, good at swimming, can sneak along the river bottom five ～ ten minute; During the mating season, there are fights between males. The pregnancy period is about eight Months per tire one Zai. lactation one Year, four ～ five Maturity and longevity thirty-five ～ forty Years. It is distributed in Africa.

The hippo's body is covered by a thick layer of blue black skin with brick red stripes. Except for some short hairs on its tail, there is almost no hair on its body. The hippo's skin is particularly thick, with a layer of fat inside, which enables it to float from the water effortlessly. When a hippopotamus is exposed to the air, its skin has much more water evaporation than other mammals. There are no sweat glands on its skin, but there are other glands, which can secrete a reddish moist substance similar to sunscreen and prevent insect bites. Hippos cannot stay out of water for too long. For this reason, hippos must stay in water or wet habitats to prevent dehydration.

The simple and honest hippo is a favorite image in countless cartoon stories: cute little ears, funny round buttocks, beady eyes …… It seems that everything is so mild. But you should know that hippos also have a grumpy side. They think their mud ground is sacred and inviolable. Hippos kill several people who break into their territory intentionally or unintentionally every year.

Hippo is a kind of Amphibian , like living in groups, good at swimming, afraid of cold, like warm climate. Their skin will dry and crack if they leave the water for a long time, and the foraging, mating, childbearing and lactation in life are also carried out in the water. The hippopotamus is a herbivore, but its sparse tusks are 10 cm long. The female hippopotamus is extremely aggressive in protecting the young hippopotamus. Hippos live in pairs or in small groups, and old males often live alone. Nocturnal: They sleep or rest in or near the river almost all day long. They come out to eat at night and sometimes swim out of the river thirty Many kilometers for food. They mainly feed on aquatic plants; They occasionally eat land crops, mainly grass. Sometimes they go to the fields to eat crops. When food is scarce, they also eat meat.

Hippo has a huge body, but it is easy to walk in the water. In the hot sun, muddy water on the body surface can protect it from the sun. The sweat glands of hippopotamus skin can secrete a red liquid as a natural sunscreen to wet the skin, which is often mistaken for discharged blood, called “ Sweating ” 。 Because its skin is very sensitive, it will dry and crack if it leaves the water for a long time, so it spends most of the day in the water lazily, relying on the help of water to regulate its temperature and prevent its skin from drying. At night, it sleeps on the shore. Its vision is poor, and even above the water surface, it can't see clearly, but this does not affect its life, because underwater is often very muddy, and it can't see far away.

Hippo like camping Herbivore Life, led by females, each group twenty ～ thirty Only, sometimes up to more than 100, especially in places with dense water grass five point five There is one per square meter. It has a special set of muscle tissue that is as flexible as a valve, and can close the ears and nostrils when diving. Each dive can last up to five ～ ten About minutes, but unlike aquatic mammals, they have physiological adaptability to water, and live on land for a long time twenty Running at a speed of km, it can only be regarded as a semi aquatic animal. At ordinary times, the hippo will submerge its whole body into the water and only expose its ears, eyes and nostrils out of the water, so that it can not only breathe normally, but also find danger in time without being detected by the enemy. In addition to being safe and cool, water can also help support its large and heavy body and make it walk freely in the water.

Although the hippo always stays in the water, it can swim and dive. When you are frightened, you usually hide in the water. Most of the time in the water every day, usually every three 、 five Put your head out of the water for breathing once every minute, but you can hide for about half an hour without coming out to breathe. Hippos are usually quiet. Once they get angry, they often fight. They use their sharp teeth to stab each other's thick skin. Sometimes when he gets angry in the river, he dares to overturn the boat and bite it in two.

Relevant information is taken from Baidu two thousand and sixteen year seven month