Disco Hippo
Hippos are not dangerous animals?
True or false
False
Hippos are extremely dangerous animals, both from the perspective of other hippos, and from any nearby humans.
A baby hippo is known as a ________ ?
A) Calf
B) Herd
C) Buck
D) Bloat
A) Calf
Male hippos fling their dung to mark their territory
True or false
True
The dominant male reminds other hippos of his territory by flinging his dung as far as possible with his fan-shaped tail.
Which continent can we find wild hippos?
A) Australia
B) Africa
C) Europe
D) North America
B) Africa
Common river hippos are native to sub-Saharan Africa. The majority live in East Africa, with Zambia and Tanzania boasting the largest hippo populations in the world. Other countries with large hippo populations include Mozambique, Uganda, South Africa, Kenya and Zimbabwe.
Pygmy hippos, unlike their larger relatives, are found in the tropical rainforests and swamps of four West African countries: Ivory Coast, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
Hippos are the largest land animals in the world?
True or false
False
The hippo is one of the largest mammals on Earth. They are considered the third largest land mammal behind the elephant and white rhino.
What are the 2 species of hippos?
A) Common river hippo and small hippo
B) Sahara hippo and African hippo
C) Common river hippo and pygmy hippo
D) Sahara hippo and Ugandan hippo
C) Common river hippo and pygmy hippo
There are two species of hippopotamuses, the common river hippos and the smaller pygmy hippo.
Each herd of hippos has one dominant male?
True or false
True
Hippos live in groups of 10 to 30 hippos, which includes several adult females, several adult males, their offspring and one dominant male.
Hippos are very vocal animals?
True or False
True
Hippos communicate using a complex mix of loud, long-distance vocalizations (up to 115 decibels) and subtle underwater sounds, allowing them to communicate both above and below the surface at the same time.
What do common hippos mostly eat?
A) Meat
B) Grass
C) Fish
D) Birds
B) Grass
Hippos are primarily grazers and eat large amounts of short grasses. Their diet mainly consists of savannah grasses, which they crop using their powerful lips.
Hippos have their eyes, ears and nostrils on top of their heads?
True or False
True
With their eyes, ears, and nostrils on the top of the head, hippos can hear, see, and breathe while most of their body is underwater.
How fast can hippos run?
A) 10 km per hour
B) 20 km per hour
C) 30 km per hour
D) 60 km per hour
C) 30 km per hour
A hippo can run at a speed of 30 kilometers per hour on land.
The name Hippopotamus comes from the Greek word?
A) River cow
B) River pig
C) River horse
D) River sheep
C) River horse
The name “hippopotamus” comes from a Greek word meaning “water horse” or “river horse."
Pygmy hippos live in which African countries?
A) Liberia
B) Sierra Leone
C) Ivory Coast
D) All of the above
D) All of the above
Pygmy hippos, unlike their larger relatives, are found in the tropical rainforests and swamps of four West African countries: Ivory Coast, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
When do hippos graze for food?
A) Daytime
B) Nighttime
B) Nighttime
Hippos come out of the water at night to graze. In fact, this goes on for about 6 hours.
Name one threat to hippos?
The main threats facing hippos are illegal poaching, habitat destruction, and conflict with humans. Hippos are frequently killed for their meat, fat, and ivory teeth. Hippos also have a low birth rate, producing a single offspring every two years. This slow birth rate means more needs to be done to reduce the threats to their population to ensure the species survives.
What is the pregnancy period for hippos?
A) 4 months
B) 8 months
C) 10 months
D) 12 months
B) 8 months
Amazingly, the pregnancy period (gestation) is just about 8 months which is slightly shorter than the pregnancy for humans.
When Hippo rivals fight each other they have their mouths open at a 150 degree angle, this is known as?
A) Widening
B) Outstretched
C) Extended
D) Gaping
D) Gaping
When rival males meet, they stand nose to nose with their mouth open as wide as possible, up to a 150-degree angle. This is called "gaping," which is a way to size each other up.
Hippos can sleep underwater
True or false
True
Hippos can sleep underwater, using a reflex that allows them to bob up, take a breath, and sink back down without waking up.
How long can adult hippos hold their breath
A) 1 minute
B) 2 minutes
C) 5 minutes
D) 10 minutes
C) 5 minutes
They can hold their breath for about five minutes.
How much do pygmy hippos weigh on average?
A) 350 to 600 pounds
B) 500 to 700 pounds
C) 800 to 1000 pounds
D) 1000 to 1200 pounds
A) 350 to 600 pounds
The average baby hippo is about how much larger than a human baby?
A) 2 times larger
B) 10 times larger
C) 5 times larger
D) 20 times larger
B) 10 times larger
Remarkably, the hippo calf is about 10 times larger than a human baby.
Hippo do all of these except?
A) Swim
B) Nurse their babies
C) Give birth to live young
D) Breath air
A) Swim
Hippos can't swim nor float.
How long can baby hippos hold their breath underwater?
A) 40 seconds
B) 60 seconds
C) 2 minutes
D) 5 minutes
A) 40 seconds
Newborn hippos are only able to hold their breath for about 40 seconds at a time.
What are hippos closest living relatives?
A) Rhinos
B) Zebras
C) Giraffes
D) Whales
D) Whales
The hippo's closest living relatives are whales, dolphins, and porpoises (cetaceans), a surprising connection established through genetic and fossil evidence showing they share a common ancestor that lived around 55 million years ago, diverging from other even-toed ungulates (like pigs and cattle).
How many weeks does the hippo spend away from the herd in order to give birth?
A) 1 to 2 weeks
B) 3 to 4 weeks
C) 1 to 2 months
D) 2 to 4 months
A) 1 to 2 weeks
When the female nears the time to give birth, she leaves the herd for one or two weeks to give birth to her young and create a bond with her baby.