The Hippopotamus was named by the Greeks and the word means "river horse". However, this animal has no connection to horses. Some researchers are say that the hippo could be related to whales or even pigs.

Hippos are herbivores, which means they only eat plant life. Their favorite food is short grass. They can eat up to 150 lbs of it each day. However, if you think they eat alot, you're wrong. The Average cow eats more in a day than the average hippo. Hippos normally only venture out during nights to graze and may go up to 6 miles from the water.













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Hippos LOVE the water!!

They're ears, eyes and nostrils all are on the top of their heads. All this is so they can completely stay underwater but still be aware of their surroundings. Hippos are also airtight because they can close their ears and nostrils when they submerge so no water leaks in? They have 4 toes on each hoof which are very close together, this is to help them swim under water - like webbed feet. Their skin is about 1/2 (half) inch thick, and is very sensitive to sunlight, which is another reason why they're always in the water, or in mud holes.

They have no sweat glands or scent glands, but they do have a subcutaneous Mucous Gland. This gland secretes a pink-ish to red-ish oily liquid that helps in keeping the hippos skin from drying out.

Hippos prefer the slow flowing waters. They are most often found in slow moving streams, creeks, rivers, or in lakes that are just deep enough so they can submerge. In order for a hippo to stay on the surface they have to paddle their 4-toed hooves! Many times the hippo will totally submerge underwater and walk along the bottom.