- Hippopotamus, also called hippo or water horse, is an amphibious African ungulate mammal.
- It is considered to be the second largest land animal (after the elephant).
- Hippos are well adapted to aquatic life.
- The ears, eyes, and nostrils are located high on the head so that the rest of the body may remain submerged.
- Hippopotamuses were extinct in northern Africa by 1800 and south of Natal and the Transvaal by 1900.
- They are still fairly common in East Africa, but populations continue to decrease continent wide.
Scientific Name:
- Hippopotamus amphibius.
- Human-wildlife conflict and habitat encroachment.
- Often killed for their meat under the guise of protection, and they are also hunted for hippo fat and their ivory canine teeth.
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
CITES: Appendix Ill
SOURCE: THE HINDU , THE ECONOMIC TIMES , MINT