Several lines of evidence, first from blood proteins, then from molecular systematics[12] and DNA[13][14] and the fossil record, show that their closest living relatives are cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises). [8]:3 The animals' upper parts are purplish-grey to blue-black, while the under parts and areas around the eyes and ears can be brownish-pink. The name comes from the ancient Greek for "river horse" (ἱπποπόταμος). [18], While the fossil record of hippos is still poorly understood, the two modern genera, Hippopotamus and Choeropsis (sometimes Hexaprotodon), may have diverged as far back as 8 million years ago. Wiki User. The first record of hippos on captivity for display are dated to 3500 BC, in Hierakonpolis, Egypt. ", "Goodbye, Donna: World's oldest hippo in captivity dies at 61", "Bertha, the world's 'oldest' hippo, dies at 65", "The Eemian mammal fauna of central Europe", "The Hippopotamus Going - Extinction of the huge species at hand", "Hippos Butchered by the Hundreds in Congo Wildlife Park", "After a Long Demise Due to Poaching, Virunga's Hippos Climbing Back", "Zoo Gone Wild: After Escobar, Colombia Faces His Hippos", "Could Pablo Escobar's Escaped Hippos Help the Environment? [35]:259 The testes of the males descend only partially and a scrotum is not present. The males of these massive creatures can grow to lengths of between 3.3 and 5 meters and an average height of about 1.6 meters. Male hippos appear to continue growing throughout their lives while females reach maximum weight at around age 25. Like all living beings on Earth, the Hippopotamus needs to eat every day and maintain its diet to thrive. By the way, they are illegal as pets. [41], A hippo's lifespan is typically 40–50 years. [8]:50 Younger bachelors are allowed in a male's stretch, as long as they behave submissively toward the male. [8]:64, Mother hippos are very protective of their young and may keep others at a distance. Hippos live partly in water and partly on land. [53][54] Hippo meat is considered a delicacy in some areas of central Africa and the teeth have become a valued substitute for elephant ivory. [35]:259, 263 The hippo is considered to be a pseudoruminant; it has a complex three-chambered stomach but does not "chew cud". Also, they have large and round bodies with short legs and can weigh anywhere from 3,000 to 8,000 pounds! [8]:2 Genetic analyses have tested the existence of three of these putative subspecies. Answered 2007-11-14 10:42:39. per bastish.net, $4100.00 is the going rate. [40] The secretion does help regulate the body temperature of the hippo and acts as an antibiotic. 7) Hippopotamus release a fluid which is red in colour, this fluid protects it from the sun. It’s better to use hippos for commercial purposes than to be bought as pets Hippo for sale online Buy $2900 In addition, the penis retracts into the body when not erect. By contrast, its subcutaneous fat layer is thin. The Malagasy hippos were smaller than the modern hippo, likely through the process of insular dwarfism. [21] The Pleistocene also saw a number of dwarf species evolve on several Mediterranean islands, including Crete (Hippopotamus creutzburgi), Cyprus (the Cyprus dwarf hippopotamus, Hippopotamus minor), Malta (Hippopotamus melitensis), and Sicily (Hippopotamus pentlandi). Over prolonged periods, hippos can divert the paths of swamps and channels. https://www.ugandasafariexperts.com/blog/39-interesting-facts-about-hippos [72] The stomach anatomy of a hippo is not suited to carnivory, and meat-eating is likely caused by aberrant behaviour or nutritional stress.