River+Hippo

// **Hipphopotamus amphibius** //



The hippo is known to be the second largest land animal. That’s because they’re large and fat. Have you ever wondered what a hippo is? Or even what it really does. Well, looks like you’re going get a chance to know everything about the River Hippopotamus.  The River Hippopotamus is a mammal. Mammals are warm-blooded creatures. Mammals also have hair or fur. They give birth to live offspring, and producing milk are also characteristics of the classification mammals. Therefore, the hippo, or //Hippopotamus amphibious//, is a mammal.

 The River Hippo lives in Africa, below the Sahara Desert and above the southernmost area. Its habitat is large to small bodies of water with flat banks around it. The hippo is not threatened because it is known to be one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. Hippos eat soft grass, leaves, plants, and fallen fruit. Hippopotamus amphibious are extremely fat animals. They have round bodies, a large head, and short chubby legs. Hippos can gow up to 12 feet lonf and 5 feet high. These animals are big. They can also weigh up to 8,000 pounds. Its eyes, ears, and nose are high on its face so that it can almost totally submerged when it is in the water. The hippo spends most of its time sitting in the water with its oily secretions protecting its skin, like sunscreen. It also spends its nights grazing on grass. Hippos live in grouns with one male, several females and their young. The hippo can live up to 35 to 50 years.

Click here to listen to "I Want a Hippo for Christmas"

By:Connor,Ricardo,Rachel,Alexandra Period 5.