Hippopotamus
By: L. D.

Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family | Genus and Species
Fun Facts  | Works Cited

Kingdom:  Animalia (Return to Top)

• No cell walls

• Multi-cellular

• Heterotrophs

• Cells are organized into specialized tissues which are specialized organs

• Ingest and digest food in an internal cavity

• Does not contain bacteria or blue-green algae

Phylum:  Chordata (Return to Top)

• Bilateral symmetry

• Three germ layers

• Tail projecting beyond anus

• Ventral heart

• Complete digestive system

• Segmented body

Class:  Mammalia (Return to Top)

• Three middle ear bones

• Hair

• Mammary glands

• Warm blooded

• Feed new born milk

• Highly differentiated teeth

Order:  Artiodactyla (Return to Top)

• Large in size

• Slow in speed

• Paraxonix (has 4 feet)

• Modified stomach (3 or 4-chambered)

• Y-shaped cannon bone

• Native to all continents except Austrailia and Antartica

Family: Hippotamidae (Return to Top)

• Huge head

• Round / barrel shaped body

• Short / stumpy legs

• Thick hairless (almost) skin

• Produces blood sweat

• Broad / square mouth

Genus and Species:  Hippopotamus / Hippopotamus Amphibious          (Return to Top)

• Slate brown to muddy brown in color

• Purplish hues

• Eyes and nostrils protrude which allow it to breath and see while the body is under water

• Measures 1500mm in height at the shoulder and has a length of 4310-5160 mm, of which about 560mm is tail

• Long canine teeth used as weapons in some situations

• Very strict vegetarian

    It is very extraordinary that when a hippo goes under water, only its ears, eyes, and nostrils are above the water.  From the phylum Chordata, the hippo is a vertebrate, which means it has a spine.  This animal is rather large in the stomach, lives in freshwater, and is both a predator and a prey.

    Unlike characteristics make the hippo stand out.  One characteristic is that the eyes and nostrils stick out, allowing the animal to see and breathe while under water.  This shows that they are capable of being under water, but their eyes and nose stick out so they can breath.  Another characteristic is that they are typically a slate brown color with purplish tints.  This helps them camouflage for their habitat.  The last characteristic is that it measures 1500 mm tall, its length is 4310-5160 mm, and its tail is 560 mm long.  This actually does not help the hippo because that means it has to go deeper in the water and it is easier to see when it is wanted as prey.  The hippo has many different characteristics which can help it, but sometimes it does not.

    The hippo's habitat is very important.  Hippos like freshwater lakes and freshwater rivers.  This water keeps them cool during warm weather.  They are also fond of deep water with adjacent reed beds and grasslands.  When they are hot, the go in deep water with grass that is close to it so they can eat and relax at the same time.  They are very strict vegetarians.  Their diet consists mostly of terrestrial grasses.  Hippos value their habitat very much.

   The hippo has a huge stomach, loves fresh water, and is a predator and a prey.  People should try harder not to pollute the fresh water and they should try to keep the grass by the water green, not brown or any other color it might be.

Fun Facts: (Return to Top)

• Currently, the only large populations of hippos occur in the Nile river valley of East Africa.

• Mass: 3000 to 4500 kg.

• Hippos are extremely graceful in the water, despite their clumsy appearance on land. Their specific gravity allows them to sink to the bottom of rivers and literally walk or run along the bottom.

• Hippopotamus frequently raid agricultural crops.

• Hippos are highly aggressive creatures and have little fear of humans.  They are considered the most dangerous African animals.

• For years, it was reported that the Hippopotamus would sweat blood. We know now that this is not true. The hippo's sweat contains a red pigment, which makes it resemble blood.

Works Cited: (Return to Top)

Information

Nancy, Shefferly. Hippopotamus Amphibius. May 2000. University of Michigan. 16 Apr. 2003 <http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/hippopotamus/h._amphibius.html>.

Muzzy, Catherine. Personal interview. 16 Apr. 2003.

Pictures

Spook\'s Hippopotamus\'s. 09 Apr. 2003 <http://sailfish.exis.net/~spook/3hip59.jpg>.

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