Fast Facts About the Hippopotamus:

Did you know that...

•Three thousand years ago when the Greeks first discovered the hippopotamus in the Nile Delta they named the species "HIPPOPOTAMUS" meaning "river horse" because of its massive size. With the exception of the elephant, the hippopotamus is the largest living land animal, weighing up to 8,000 pounds.

Did you know that...

•When a hippo cries, it's deafening bellow is more than 115 decibels and is equivalent to a heavy-metal rock band playing fifteen feet away from you.

Did you know that...

•As the basis of the aquatic food chain that begins with microscopic plant life and culminates in fish, crocodiles and predatory birds, the hippopotamus plays an important role in the river ecology of Africa.

•Common Hippopotamus-appearance, location, habits, reproduction, threats, ferocity, endangerment

•Great African Hippopotamus-appearance, environment, habits, reproduction, endangerment, ferocity

•Pygmy Hippopotamus-appearance, location, environment, diet, reproduction, endangerment