World Hippo Day

Each year, World Hippo Day on February 15th marks the world's third-largest mammal.. It's also a day to learn more about the hippopotamus.

The blue whale and the African elephant are the only two mammals in the world that are larger than the hippopotamus. In ancient Greek, the word hippo refers to a river horse. The giant animal weighs in at 8,000 pounds. You can find a hippo on only one continent in the world. Africa is the continent of Africa. Hippos are native to over 30 countries in Africa. These herbivores can live up to 50 years in the wild. There are only two species of hippos on the planet. The common hippopotamus and the pygmy hippo are among the hippo's listed.

Here are some more interesting facts about the hippopotamus.

They keep an oily red powder on their skin that acts as sunblock and a moisturizer
Hippos can live up to 16 hours a day submerged in water but must come up every 5 minutes for air
In the water, mother hippos give birth to their babies.
About 100 pounds, baby hippos weigh about 100 pounds
Female hippos give birth to one calf every two years
And though hippos don't look fast, they can go up to 19 mph
In a 4 to 5 hour grazing period, Hippos consume nearly 150 pounds of grass. t
Hippos are the world's most invasive animals, killing 500 humans a year

hyenas, lions, and crocodiles are among the hippo's predators of the hippo. Sadly, humans have also evolved to become a primary predator. While some hunters hunt hippos for their meat, others hunt them for ivory canine teeth. Since the ban on the international trade of elephant ivory in 1989, the demand for hippo teeth has increased. Despite recent attempts to outlaw the selling of hippo teeth, the animal is still vulnerable. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the smallest decline in the hippo population has occurred over the years.

How to celebrate #worldhippoday

Several zoos, wildlife groups, and conservation groups hold events to celebrate the hippo and inform the public about this fascinating mammal. To participate: To participate: To participate: To participate: You must register: To participate:

Learn more about the hippo
Donate to an organisation, such as the African Wildlife Foundation, which is working to protect the hippo
Find photos and fun facts about hippos on the internet and post them on social media
If your zoo has a hippo exhibit, go check it out
Watch videos or a documentary about hippos
Play the board game Hungry Hippos, or play the board game Hungry Hippos

If posting on social media, use #WorldHippoDay.