Interesting hippos facts

May 20, 2009 | In: Animal facts for kids

The term hippopotamus comes from the Greek “hippos,” meaning horse, these animals were once called “river horses” because they live in big herds and eat grass, the way horses do. But the hippo look like more a pig then a horse.

Hippos love to spend the day in the water, near the shore resting on their bellies.

The hippo’s nose, ears and eyes are on the top of its head and they stick out from the water while the rest of the body lie beneath the surface. That way the hippo can breath, sea and hear while its body is submerged.

Hippos are great swimmers and they can hold their breath for about five minutes.

A hippo is 45 meters and weighs from 2300 to 3600 kilograms.

Baby hippos are born underwater. They can swim almost from the moment they are born.

Hippos are considered one of most the dangerous animals in Africa because they are aggressive and they don’t fear humans.

Hippopotamuses have pink sweat.

Hippos naturally secrete a sticky pink fluid from glands under their skin. This fluid provides them with protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, and may also serve as a disinfectant for cuts and scrapes.