Which animal is known as the ‘river horse’?

               Some animals love spending time in the water. They feel more secure and more powerful when they are in water. The hippopotamus is one such animal that makes the river its home.

               The animal, which is also known as the hippo, is found only in Africa. A hippo is smaller than the rhino, but is still very big; an adult weighs around three and a half tonnes. It has four toes on each foot, with each toe ending in a hoof like nail.

               Hippopotamuses enjoy spending time in water. That is why the Greeks named the animal a ‘river horse’. They spend up to 16 hours a day submerged in water. This keeps their massive bodies cool. Hippos are good swimmers, and can hold their breath underwater for up to five minutes. They are often large enough to simply walk or stand on the lake floor. Their eyes and nostrils are located high on their heads, which allows them to see and breathe while their bodies remain underwater.

              Hippos have huge mouths. We are often misled to believe that the animal is yawning when it opens its mouth wide. In fact, hippo is preparing to fight and its wicked-looking tusks can inflict terrible wounds on its enemy.

               At sunset, hippopotamuses leave the water, and travel up to 10 kilometres overland in a night to graze. They consume around 35 kilograms of grass. If they are threatened on land, they will rush back to the water.

Picture credit: google