Hippopotamus comes from a Greek word - "water/river horse". Translated into Chinese is also similar "河马" meaning "water horse". However Hippos are more closely related to a pig, then a horse. Then again, some research has shown that Hippos have DNA relating to whales & dolphins.- 2nd/3rd heaviest land mammals (after the Elephants & much debated White Rhino)
- Hippos have webbing between their toes, which assists in dog-paddle swimming style
- They can't swim! And their bodies are too dense to float. They simply walked, on tip-toes like aquatic ballet dancers, pushing themselves through the water.
- When a Hippo yawns, it's not because it's lazy & sleepy. Because its angry! Becareful the next time when you see one with its mouth open.
- One of the ways for Hippos protect themselves from enemies by giving them a dung-shower! By swaying, swaking & rotating their tails to spray their excrement.
- Hippos have T-shaped pupil, which allows them to see above water and below water at the same time.
- Back to the picture, Hippos have an average running speed 30 - 40km/h for a few hundred metres. This stats have proved Hippos can outrun many humans.
Never judge the anything by its looks.
And also, run when you see a Hippo with its mouth opened.
Or else, you might get dung-showered!
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