Hippopotamus

Hippos spend most of their time in water because their skin allows moisture to evaporate very easily in dry air. During the day, the rare times he gets out of the water, the glands in his skin secrete a pink, viscous fluid which, as it dries, forms protection against water loss, sunburn or bacterial infections. It emerges from the water after dark to feed on the grassy plains and along the riverbanks. He eats about 40 kg of plant matter per day.

Despite its size and weight, it is a very fast and unpredictable animal. It lives in groups of 10 to 30 individuals on 100 meters of shoreline. Hippos share well-defined territories. The males spread their excrement in selected places and scatter it in all directions, using their tails moving quickly. Some keep their territories for several years, or even their entire life.

The hippopotamus is present in Uganda, Sudan, Republic of Congo and Ethiopia, Gambia, Tanzania, Mozambique and throughout southern Africa.

The imposing size of hippos makes them almost invulnerable to other animals. An adult's jaw is strong enough to slice a crocodile in half. Humans are the only predator of hippos. Today, there are between 125,000 and 150,000 hippos left in the natural environment, but through La Fondation Le PAL Nature, you can sponsor our hippos.

At PAL, you can easily observe our couple of hippos, Emile and Image during educational activities and daily feedings.

• Habitat

  Central and southern Africa. Lives in rivers and lakes surrounded by grassland.
• Food

  Grass and lowlying gramineae.

Did you know ?

Hippopotamuses fight for up to one and a half hours, sometimes to the death. Their lower canines, which are as sharp as razor blades, measure up to 50 cm long and weigh between 1 kg (females) and 2 kg (males).