Emily's Hippo Report

The Amazing Hippopotamus

Hippos belong to the Hippopotamidae family. The hippopotamus is the second heaviest land animal. Hippos spend most of their day in the water to keep cool. Hippopotamus means river horse.

Diet/Habitats:

Hippos have a diet that is made up of plants and grass which means it’s a herbivore. Hippos live in western, central and southern Africa.

Adaptations:

The hippo’s head shape is adapted to a life in the water, with eyes, ears and nose set along the top. Also the hippo is adapted to live in deep rivers and grassy places.

Jaw dropping facts:

A hippo’s jaws can open up to 150 degrees wide. Up to 45 per cent of all  hippo’s die in their first year. A hippo could not survive for long out of water because it loses moisture through its skin much faster than other mammals.

Conclusion:

The hippo is normally found in zoos so go to some zoos and see some.

  

 By Emily