It's Hippo Day!

Hippopotamuses (Hippopotamus amphibius) are large, round, water-loving animals that are native to Africa. The word 'hippopotamus' comes from the Greek word for 'water horse' or 'river horse,' although hippos and horses aren't closely related.

World Hippo Day 2023 Date: Know History and Significance of the Day That Raises Awareness About Protecting Hippopotamus.

Hippos are among the most dangerous animals due to their aggressive and unpredictable nature. There are many factors leading to the extinction of these mammals.

As of 2017, the IUCN Red List drawn up by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the species as vulnerable, with a stable population estimated between 115,000 and 130,000 animals. The hippo population has declined most dramatically in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. By 2005, the population in Virunga National Park had dropped to 800 or 900 from around 29,000 in the mid-1970s.This decline is attributed to the disruptions caused by the Second Congo War. The poachers are believed to be Mai-Mai rebels, underpaid Congolese soldiers, and local militia groups. Reasons for poaching include the belief hippos are harmful to society, as well as financial gain. As of 2016, the Virunga hippo population appears to have increased again, possibly due to better protection from park rangers, who have worked with local fishermen. The sale of hippo meat is illegal, but black-market sales are difficult for Virunga National Park officers to track. Hippo meat is highly valued in some areas of central Africa and the teeth may be used as a replacement for elephant ivory.

A population of hippos exists in Colombia, descended from captive individuals that escaped from Pablo Escobar's estate after his death in 1993. Their numbers grew to 100 by the 2020s and ecologists believe the population should be eradicated, as they are breeding rapidly and are an increasing menace to humans and the environment. Attempts to control them include sterilization and sadly culling.

But did you know that before 1909, scientists placed hippos in the same group as pigs? Hippopotamuses resemble pigs or wild boars on the outside, but they are actually more closely related to whales, dolphins, and porpoises.

Just like the above-mentioned fact, there are quite a few interesting facts about the gigantic mammal.

Here are 10 fun facts about hippos that will definitely blow your mind:

1. Native to Africa, hippos are the third largest mammals on earth. Elephants and White Rhinos are the two largest land mammals.

2. The two most widely known species of the hippopotamus are the common hippopotamus, or Hippopotamus amphibius. These hippos can measure 6 to 16 feet long. The pygmy hippo, or Choeropsis liberiensis, a smaller species of hippopotamus, is on average 5 feet long.

3. No wonder their nickname is “river horse”! Hippos are strong swimmers and can hold their breath for an average of 5 minutes. That’s long enough to take walks along lakebeds and riverbed floors.

4. Hippos are threatened animals due to human activity impacting their environment.

5. Hippos, the third largest mammal on earth, are herbivores. They fuel their bodies with plants! On average, they eat 80 pounds of grass each night.

6. The gestation period of a hippo is 243 days (eight months). And the baby hippos are called calves, and they weigh between 30 and 50 pounds when they’re born.

7. Hippos are most active at night. They leave their resting waters near dusk and return in the morning.

8. Hippos produce their own sunblock! Sub-Saharan Africa, where the sun’s UV rays are incredibly strong, has made hippos adapt and develop an ability to produce a red, oily liquid that acts as a natural sunblock.

9. Fascinatingly, hippos can identify a friend from a foe by smelling their dung – or poop! Hippos use middens, or outdoor areas where they repeatedly go to the bathroom. Hippos can then sniff the area to find out who’s been there, and if they’re considered friends.

10. Hippos serve an integral role in their ecosystems, as their enormous size lends itself to creating microhabitats for smaller organisms. They facilitate habitats for fish populations by repeatedly walking on common pathways from water sources to inland areas.

Read Also

https://www.latestly.com/lifestyle/festivals-events/world-hippo-day-2023-date-know-history-and-significance-of-the-day-that-raises-awareness-about-protecting-hippopotamus-4837429.html

World Hippo Day 2023 Date: Know History and Significance of the Day That Raises Awareness About Protecting Hippopotamus

Hippopotamus - Wikipedia