Kingdom animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Artiodactyla
Family Hippopotamid
Gender hippopotamus
SpeciesHippopotamus amphibius
Hippos are animals of restricted occurrence to the African continent. They belong to the Family Hippopotamidae, with only two species currently alive. They have hooves and an even number of toes. In this way, they are classified in the order of the artiodactyls.
The hippos that we usually find in zoos are of the species Hippopotamus amphibius. These usually live in flocks, close to rivers or lakes, and have herbivorous habits. Its lower canines grow continuously, can present itself with more than 50 centimeters, and with up to five kilos.
They are animals with amphibious habits: during the day, they remain submerged in water and at night, when they perform most of their activities, they remain on dry land. However, mating, birth and nursing take place in water. One of the adaptations to this way of life is the presence of interdigital membranes.
The skin, except on the lips, ears and tip of the tail, is hairless; and secretes a reddish-colored substance that protects the animal from the sun. With a thick layer of subcutaneous fat, adult hippos can weigh up to three tons in the case of males.
Pregnancy lasts from 227 to 240 days, and tends to give rise to a single individual.
The expectation of this animal, in the wild, is 40 years. However, by invading plantations, having their prey very targeted, and by the loss of habitats as a result of human occupation, its population is declining. In 2008, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) considered its conservation status vulnerable.
Curiosity: territorialists, the Hippopotamus amphibius they defend their space voraciously. For this reason, the species is considered one of the most aggressive in the animal kingdom.
By Mariana Araguaia
Graduated in Biology
