INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE BODY OF A HIPPO
Hippos are, after elephants, the largest terrestrial animals. They have a very noticeable huge head with jaws that can open to an unbelievable angle of 150°. But we could find many other interesting things on their bodies...
TEETH AS A WEAPON
A hippo’s front teeth grow throughout its life. The canines can reach lengths of up to 70cm (40cm of which is set into the gums). They constantly grind through mutual friction so that they are very sharp. The canines serve as a formidable weapon against enemies and even in fights with other hippos. Bulls must fight opponents for their stretch of a river or lake, and that’s why their canines are considerably longer than a cow’s.
LIFE UNDER A SAVINGS REGIME
Hippos on the whole lead a lazy life and spend most of the day resting. This saves energy so that they can afford to ingest only about half of the food of a comparably large animal – approximately 40kg a night.
When grazing, a hippo tears off straws of grass with muscular lips up to 50cm wide, and quickly and noisily swallows them. It doesn’t use its canines at all while feeding.
SMALL LEGS, BIG BODY
Hippos have very small legs in proportion to their very heavy bodies. When walking, the animal’s weight rests on a relatively limited area, which represents a considerable burden on the land. The packed soil on regularly used trails takes in rain water and over time a deep ravine can develop.
If necessary, a hippo is able to move surprisingly fast. On land, it can generate speeds of up to 30kph, which is comparable to a human sprinter. However, it must always have at least three feet on the ground – two wouldn’t bear its massive body.
EXTRAORDINARY SKIN
The skin of a hippo contains a number of glands that exude a particular reddish secretion. On land the droplets merge and form a continuous film over the whole body. The animal thus acquires a pinkish colour. The secretion has an antibacterial effect that ensures the rapid healing of any wounds. It is also believed that it serves as some kind of sunscreen that protects hippos against UV rays when exposed to the sun. A hippo’s skin hardens after drying out – so much so that some African tribes make shields from it. Coating it with oil in addition makes it transparent so that it is also used instead of window panes.
