Hippo ( Hippopotomas Amphibius )

Hippo .... or hippopotamus amphibius!

The word hippo comes from the name water horse in greek ..... Yet I think these critters look more like water pigs than horses! These animals can survive in both land and water, and it's gravity allows it to sink to the bottom of rivers and walk along the bottom. It's no surprise that they sink; they are among the largest living animals! The only things that out-weigh it are whales and elephants.

While the hippo has webbed feet and can swim, it is not a particularly good swimmer. It is rarely found in deep water, as it cannot float either. As it is so big, the hippo does not often feel threatened, but when he does, you'll know it. When a hippo gets worried, it opens it's mouth all the way. Hippos usually travel in pods of up to one hundred, so chances of attack are slim.

Female hippos are able to start breeding at about 3 years old, while males are usually about 7. When a female gets pregnant,  she gives birth underwater- one of the few animals to do this. The baby usually weighs about 60-110 pounds. Hippos are very aggressive, especially when their babies are near. They fight by biting each other with their massive jaws. They can be found in Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia.