Kenya
Hippopotamus
Meet the hippopotamus! Its name means "river horse" in ancient Greek, and this huge animal spends most of its day soaking in rivers and lakes to stay cool under the African sun.
Why is it special?
The hippo is one of the biggest land animals on Earth, weighing as much as a small car.
Even though it's enormous, a hippo can move surprisingly fast, both in water and on land.
How does it live?
Hippos spend up to 16 hours a day resting in rivers and lakes, staying almost totally submerged to keep cool.
At night, they climb out onto land to graze on grass for several hours before heading back to the water.
Amazing facts
A hippo's skin makes its own natural sunscreen — a reddish, oily fluid that protects it from sunburn.
Hippos can hold their breath underwater for about 5 minutes.
Quick facts
- A hippo's skin makes its own natural sunscreen — a reddish, oily fluid that protects it from sunburn.
- Hippos can hold their breath underwater for about 5 minutes.
- Despite living in water, hippos actually can't swim — they walk or bounce along the riverbed!
- A baby hippo can even nurse from its mother underwater.