HIPPOPOTAMUS
Hippopotamus amphibius
Classifications
- Domain Eukarya - the domain (eukarya) has organisms that cells have a nucleus, they can either be multicellular or single-celled.
- Kingdom Animalia -They are all Multicellular another is to have the ability to move at some point in time called heterotrophs.
- Phylum Chorodata - they have three germ layers as a well-developed colem
Which a coelem is the body cavity of higher metazoans, between the body wall and intestine, lined with a mesodermal epithelium..
- Subphylum Vertebrata - blood with red blood corpuscles containing hemoglobin, and in addition, white corpuscles, movements provided by muscles attached to endoskeleton.
- Class Mammalia - all mammals share at least three characteristic not found in any other animal, they all have hair at some point in time.
- Order Artiodactyla - even toed ungulates, Artiodactyls are distributed nearly worldwide and are native to all continents except Antarctica and Australia. Numerous introductions.
- Family hippopotamida - modern hippos are divided into two genera and two species. The genera are very different in size, so much so that the common name of one. All hippos are pretty large compared to most animals.
- Genus Hippopotamus - This genus only includes the Hippopotamus.
- Species - Hippopotamus amphibius
General description
- Height - 1.5 m on a average an Adult, At the Shoulder
- Length - on a average of hippo 3.3 – 5.2 m an Adult, 1.27 m on average an Newborn.
- Weight - the weight of a hippopotamus is 2,220-9,920 ib. or in kilometers is 1,000-4,500 in kg in a average.
- Color - This movement is purposely used colorless and turns Red or an Orange within a few minuets at a time while it gets to brown. The hippopotamus sweats a pinkish color to help them in the climate in the African weather.
- Natural Range - hippopotamus are mostly found in the southern part of Africa or in the southeastern part of Africa too.
- Diet - Hippopotamuses usually eat creeping grass and tussock grasses they are herbivores which means they eat small grasses.
- Habitat Description - hippos are semi aquatic mammal sometimes inhabiting shallow lakes,river,and,swamps. The water has to be deeper for the whole body to go in the water. On an Average they sleep in shallow water.
- Predators - hippo calf's are at a slight risk of Lions, or like Hyenas or crocodiles.
NATURAL RANGE MAP
This map is showing were the average Hippopotamuses that can be found in their habitats
HIPPO IN ITS OWN HABITAT
This picture is showing how the brown color blend into the muddy water.
HIPPOS ARE FIGHTING
This is two hippos trying to be the main hippo in their group.
PHYSICAL ADAPTATIONS
Hippos have their eyes and ears on the top of their head because in the hot weather, the hippo will submerge their bodies in the water to stay cool and this physical trait allows them to be able to hear and see. Hippos also have short legs because their legs don't need to support all their weight since they don't spend a lot of time standing in the river. A hippo primarily gallops in the water rather than swimming or walking on land. Hippos mouths and teeth are large and have evolved to be used for fighting with other hippos and for defense. Hippos do not have sweat glands but their pores can leak a thick, red substance than can keep their skin moist and help prevent sunburn. A hippo's stomach can hold two days' worth of food which could allow the hippo to not eat for up to three weeks. This ability could be helpful when the weather and habitat provide droughts or a lack of food. Lastly, hippo's feet have four toes and are separated by webbing which spreads out. This feature helps to distribute their enormous weight and maintain balance while walking.
BEHAVIORAL ADAPTATIONS
Hippo's are very different than other animals for instance lions have the males be in charge of the group and the females are taking care of the babies. Were hippos are actually the opposite the females keep in charge of their resting pools were the males take care of the calf's. Hippos protect their territory by wheezing, honking, and dung showering so they can protect their resources and keep a defense of other hippos. Hippos when they sleep they can go under and pop right back up from the water without even waking up that helps them protect themselves from any land prey. Young males compete with each other to see who is more dominate with older males by yawning, roaring, dung showering, and jaw clashing. Commanding males are usually ignorant of younger or childish males trying to challenge them. The larger or evolved males have a tendency to kill the younger males during this type of situation. At night hippos are nocturnal which means they are active during the night which they get food and do other things for instance they take care of their calf's. the baby is born underwater the mother helps the calf to the surface to breathe, they wait until her baby is strong enough before they dare to leave the water to night and graze
References
Kassandra M. (2012) Hippopotamus amphibius Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved
http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Hippopotamus_amphibius/
Beth W. (2013) General Facts 2015 Sea World Parks & Entertainment.
http://seaworld.org/animal-info/animal-bytes/mammals/hippopotamus/
2015 San Diego Zoo Global (2015) Physical Adaptations
http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/hippo
Encyclopedia of international wildlife hippopotamus Marshall Cavendish (2002) General Wildlife
http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Hippopotamus_amphibius/
Beth W. (2013) General Facts 2015 Sea World Parks & Entertainment.
http://seaworld.org/animal-info/animal-bytes/mammals/hippopotamus/
2015 San Diego Zoo Global (2015) Physical Adaptations
http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/hippo
Encyclopedia of international wildlife hippopotamus Marshall Cavendish (2002) General Wildlife