Hippopotamus

scientific name

Hippopotamus amphibius

size

Height. 4.5'
Weight. 3000-7000 lbs.
Length: 11'
second largest land mammal

characteristics

Adaptations/Coloration. skin gray-brown " upperparts blue-black " underparts pink
Glands. in skin " exude thick red oil ("sweats blood") " shields sunburn & protects skin
Hair. fine hair covers body
Physical. eyes/ears/nostrils on top head
Senses. hearing, sight, & smell excellent
Swim. submerge 3-5 min " prevents skin dehydration

behavior

Daytime. in water for predator avoidance & temperature regulation
Group. females with young " adult males compete for territories containing groups of females & young via ritualized confrontations (last 1½ hr " sometimes lethal)
Nighttime. active on land 5-6 hrs when grazing
Speed. can move very fast

reproduction/life span

Life span. 35-45 yrs
Mating. dry season
Birth. in shallow water " sometimes underwater
Young. reported to swim before walking
Parenting. nurse underwater " mother very protective " baby lies across mothers back in deep water

diet

Wild. grass
Zoo. apples, carrots, grain, timothy hay, & lettuce

habitat/range

waterways (day) " short grasslands (night) " Africa

status

population declining " due to poaching (meat, fat, hide, & ivory) " human encroachment " common in captivity " breed readily - many captive females on birth control

note

exhibit has 2 inside stalls, each with its own 6000-gal pool " 50,000-gal exhibit pool outside

oregon zoo exhibit

Africa Savanna