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Hippopotamus
Pod of hippos, Luangwa Valley, Zambia
Pod of hippos, Luangwa Valley, Zambia
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Superorder: Cetartiodactyla
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Hippopotamidae
Genus: Hippopotamus
Species: H. Luangwa River is one of the major tributaries of the Zambezi River and one of the four biggest rivers of Zambia. The Republic of Zambia (ˈzæmbɪə is a Landlocked country in Southern Africa. The conservation status of a Species is an indicator of the likelihood of that species remaining extant either in the present day or the near future A vulnerable species is a Species which is likely to become endangered unless the circumstances threatening its survival and reproduction improve The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (also known as the IUCN Red List or Red Data List) created in 1963 is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global Chordates ( Phylum Chordata) are a group of Animals that includes the Vertebrates together with several closely related Invertebrates Mammals ( class Mammalia) are a class of Vertebrate Animals characterized by the presence of Sweat glands, including sweat glands Cetartiodactyla is the Clade to which Whales (including Dolphins and Even-toed ungulates have currently been placed The even-toed ungulates form the Mammal order Artiodactyla. They are Ungulates whose weight is borne (if they have more than two toes about Hippopotamuses (colloquially also "Hippopotami" are the members of the family Hippopotamidae. amphibius
Binomial name
Hippopotamus amphibius
Linnaeus, 1758[2]
Range map
Range map[1]

The hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), from the Greek ἱπποπόταμος (hippopotamos, hippos meaning "horse" and potamos meaning "river"), often shortened to "hippo", is a large, mostly plant-eating African mammal, one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae (the other being the Pygmy Hippopotamus). Carl Linnaeus (Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as, May 23 new style (13 May old style 1707 who laid the foundations for Greek (el ελληνική γλώσσα or simply el ελληνικά — "Hellenic" is an Indo-European language, spoken today by 15-22 million people mainly Herbivory is a form of Predation in which an Organism, known as a herbivore, consumes principally Autotrophs ref name=Campbell>Campbell Mammals ( class Mammalia) are a class of Vertebrate Animals characterized by the presence of Sweat glands, including sweat glands In Biology, a species is one of the basic units of Biological classification and a Taxonomic rank. Hippopotamuses (colloquially also "Hippopotami" are the members of the family Hippopotamidae. The pygmy hippopotamus ( Choeropsis liberiensis) is a large Mammal native to the forests and swamps of Western Africa (the scientific species classification

The hippopotamus is semi-aquatic, inhabiting rivers and lakes in sub-Saharan Africa in groups of 5-30 hippos. Sub-Saharan Africa is a geographical term used to describe the area of the African continent which lies south of the Sahara, or those African countries During the day they remain cool by staying in the water or mud; reproduction and childbirth both occur in water, where territorial bulls preside over a stretch of river. They emerge at dusk to graze on grass. While hippos rest near each other in territories in the water, grazing is a solitary activity and hippos are not territorial on land.

Despite their physical resemblance to pigs and other terrestrial even-toed ungulates, their closest living relatives are cetaceans—whales, porpoises and the like. Pigs, also called hogs or' swine', are Ungulates which have been domesticated as sources of food leather and similar products since ancient times The even-toed ungulates form the Mammal order Artiodactyla. They are Ungulates whose weight is borne (if they have more than two toes about The Order Cetacea (sɪˈteɪʃiə L cetus, whale includes Whales Dolphins and Porpoises Cetus is Whales are marine mammals which are neither Dolphins (ie members of the families Delphinidae or Platanistoidae) nor Porpoises Orcas Porpoises are Small Cetaceans of the Family Phocoenidae; they are related to Whales and Dolphins They are distinct from dolphins The common ancestor of whales and hippos split from other even-toed ungulates around 60 million years ago. The even-toed ungulates form the Mammal order Artiodactyla. They are Ungulates whose weight is borne (if they have more than two toes about The earliest known hippopotamus fossils, belonging to the genus Kenyapotamus in Africa, date to around 16 million years ago. A genus (plural genera from Γένος Latin genus "descent family type gender" is a low-level Taxonomic Kenyapotamus ("(Dweller in the River of Kenya" is an extinct ancestor of the modern Hippopotamus which lived in Africa roughly 16 million to 8 million

The hippopotamus is recognizable for its barrel-shaped torso, enormous mouth and teeth, hairless body, stubby legs and tremendous size. It is similar in size to the White Rhinoceros; only elephants are consistently heavier. The White Rhinoceros or Square-lipped rhinoceros ( Ceratotherium simum) is one of the five species of Rhinoceros that still exist and is one of the few Elephants ( family: Elephantidae) are large land Mammals of the order Proboscidea. Despite its stocky shape and short legs, it can easily outrun a human. Hippos have been clocked at 30 mph (48 km/h) while running short distances, faster than an Olympic sprinter. The hippopotamus is among the most dangerous and aggressive of all animals, and are regarded to be Africa's most dangerous animal. There are an estimated 125,000 to 150,000 hippos remaining throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, of which Zambia (40,000) and Tanzania (20,000-30,000) have the largest populations [1]. They are still threatened by poaching for their meat and ivory canine teeth, and by habitat loss.

Contents

Taxonomy and origins

Hippopotamuses (the anomalous[3] plural hippopotami is also commonly used; hippos can be used as a short plural) are gregarious, living in groups of up to 40 animals; such a group is called a pod, herd, dale, or bloat. In the English Language, Nouns are inflected for Grammatical number —that is singular or Plural. A male hippopotamus is known as a bull, a female as a cow, and a baby as a calf. They are also known as the Common Hippopotamus or the Nile Hippopotamus.

The hippopotamus is the type genus of the family Hippopotamidae. In biology a type is that which fixes a name to a Taxon. Depending on the nomenclature code which is applied to the organism in question a type may be a specimen Hippopotamuses (colloquially also "Hippopotami" are the members of the family Hippopotamidae. The Pygmy Hippopotamus belongs to a different genus in Hippopotamidae, either Choeropsis or Hexaprotodon. The pygmy hippopotamus ( Choeropsis liberiensis) is a large Mammal native to the forests and swamps of Western Africa (the scientific species classification Choeropsis is a genus of pygmy Hippopotamuses There are two known species one of which is extinct Pygmy Hippopotamus — Hexaprotodon is a genus of Hippopotamidae that is sometimes applied to the Pygmy hippopotamus. Hippopotamidae are sometimes known as Hippopotamids. Sometimes the sub-family Hippopotaminae is used. Further, some taxonomists group hippopotamuses and anthracotheres in the super-family Anthracotheroidea or Hippopotamoidea. Anthracotheriidae is a family of extinct Hippopotamus -like Artiodactyl Ungulates related to both hippopotamuses and Pigs The oldest genus

Five subspecies of hippos have been described based on morphological differences in their skulls and geographical differences:[4]

The suggested subspecies were never widely used or validated by field biologists; the described morphological differences were small enough that they could have resulted from simple variation in non-representative samples. [5] Genetic analyses have tested the existence of three of these putative subspecies. A study examining mitochondrial DNA from skin biopsies taken from 13 sampling locations, considered genetic diversity and structure among hippo populations across the continent. Mitochondrial DNA ( mtDNA) is the DNA located in Organelles called mitochondria. The authors found low but significant genetic differentiation among H. a. amphibius, H. a. capensis, and H. a. kiboko. Neither H. a. constrictus nor H. a. tschadensis have been tested. [6][7]

Classification

A hippo's skull, showing the large canine teeth used for fighting.
A hippo's skull, showing the large canine teeth used for fighting. "Cuspid" redirects here For the heart valves see Bicuspid valve and Tricuspid valve.

Hippopotamidae are classified along with other even-toed ungulates in the order, Artiodactyla. The even-toed ungulates form the Mammal order Artiodactyla. They are Ungulates whose weight is borne (if they have more than two toes about This article is about the taxonomic rank for the sequence of species in a taxonomic list see Taxonomic order In scientific classification used The even-toed ungulates form the Mammal order Artiodactyla. They are Ungulates whose weight is borne (if they have more than two toes about Other members of Artiodactyla include camels, cows, deer and pigs; although hippopotamuses are not closely related to these species. Camels are Even-toed ungulates within the Genus Camelus. The Dromedary, one-humped or Arabian camel has a single hump and the Cattle, colloquially referred to as cows, are domesticated Ungulates a member of the Subfamily Bovinae of the family A deer is a Ruminant Mammal belonging to the family Cervidae. Pigs, also called hogs or' swine', are Ungulates which have been domesticated as sources of food leather and similar products since ancient times

As indicated by the name, ancient Greeks considered the hippopotamus to be related to the horse. Until 1985, naturalists grouped hippos with pigs, based on molar patterns. Natural history is the Scientific research of Plants or Animals leaning more towards the Observational than Experimental methods Pigs, also called hogs or' swine', are Ungulates which have been domesticated as sources of food leather and similar products since ancient times Molars are the rearmost and most complicated kind of Tooth in most Mammals In many mammals they grind food hence the Latin name mola, " Millstone Evidence, first from blood proteins, then from molecular systematics[8] and DNA [9] and the fossil record, show that their closest living relatives are cetaceans—whales, porpoises and the like. Blood is a specialized Bodily fluid that delivers necessary substances to the body's cells such as nutrients and oxygen—and transports Waste products Proteins are large Organic compounds made of Amino acids arranged in a linear chain and joined together by Peptide bonds between the Carboxyl Deoxyribonucleic acid ( DNA) is a Nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known FOSSIL is a standard protocol for allowing serial communication for Telecommunications programs under the DOS Operating system. The Order Cetacea (sɪˈteɪʃiə L cetus, whale includes Whales Dolphins and Porpoises Cetus is Whales are marine mammals which are neither Dolphins (ie members of the families Delphinidae or Platanistoidae) nor Porpoises Orcas Porpoises are Small Cetaceans of the Family Phocoenidae; they are related to Whales and Dolphins They are distinct from dolphins [10][11] Hippopotamuses have more in common with whales than they do with other Artiodactyls (even-toed ungulates), such as pigs, because the common ancestor of hippos and whales branched-off from ruminants and the rest of the even-toed ungulates. The even-toed ungulates form the Mammal order Artiodactyla. They are Ungulates whose weight is borne (if they have more than two toes about Ungulates (meaning roughly "being Hoofed quot or "hoofed animal" are several groups of Mammals most of which use the tips of their toes usually Physiologically a ruminant is a Mammal of the order Artiodactyla that digests plant-based food by initially softening it within the animal's first stomach known Thus, hippos are more closely related to whales than to other members of Artiodactyla. While cetaceans and hippos are each other's closest living relatives, their lineages split soon after their divergence from the rest of the even-toed ungulates. [12][9]

Evolution

The most recent research into the origins of hippopotamidae suggests that hippos and whales shared a common semi-aquatic ancestor that branched off from other Artiodactyls around 60 million years ago. [10][9] This hypothesized ancestor likely split into two branches around 54 million years ago. [8] One branch would evolve into cetaceans, possibly beginning with the proto-whale Pakicetus from 52 million years ago and other early whale ancestors, known as Archaeoceti, which eventually underwent aquatic adaptation into the almost completely aquatic cetaceans. The Cetaceans ( Whales Dolphins and Porpoises are descendants of land-living Mammals Their terrestrial origins are specifically indicated Pakicetus is a genus of extinct Cetaceans found in the early Eocene (55 Archaeocetes, or " ancient whales " are a Paraphyletic group of Cetaceans that gave rise to the modern cetaceans Several Animal groups have undergone aquatic adaptation, going from being purely terrestrial animals to living at least part of the time in water The Order Cetacea (sɪˈteɪʃiə L cetus, whale includes Whales Dolphins and Porpoises Cetus is [12]

Anthracotherium magnus and Elomeryx armatus, two anthracotheres from the Oligocene, already bore similarities to the modern hippopotamus.
Anthracotherium magnus and Elomeryx armatus, two anthracotheres from the Oligocene, already bore similarities to the modern hippopotamus. Anthracotherium (" Coal Beast" was a Genus of extinct artiodactyl Ungulate Mammals characterized by having 44 Elomeryx is an extinct genus of Artiodactyl Ungulate, and is among the earliest known Anthracotheres The genus was extremely widespread first Anthracotheriidae is a family of extinct Hippopotamus -like Artiodactyl Ungulates related to both hippopotamuses and Pigs The oldest genus The Oligocene is a geologic epoch of the Paleogene period and extends from about 33

The other branch became the anthracotheres, a large family of four-legged beasts, the earliest of whom in the Late Eocene would have resembled skinny hippopotamuses with comparatively small and narrow heads. Anthracotheriidae is a family of extinct Hippopotamus -like Artiodactyl Ungulates related to both hippopotamuses and Pigs The oldest genus The Eocene epoch (558 ± 02 - 339 ± 01 Ma) is a major division of the Geologic timescale and the second epoch of the Palaeogene period in All branches of the anthracotheres, except that which evolved into Hippopotamidae, became extinct without leaving any descendants. Hippopotamuses (colloquially also "Hippopotami" are the members of the family Hippopotamidae. [10]

A rough evolution can be traced, however, from Eocene and Oligocene species: Anthracotherium and Elomeryx to the Miocene anthracotheres Merycopotamus and Libycosaurus. The Oligocene is a geologic epoch of the Paleogene period and extends from about 33 Anthracotherium (" Coal Beast" was a Genus of extinct artiodactyl Ungulate Mammals characterized by having 44 Elomeryx is an extinct genus of Artiodactyl Ungulate, and is among the earliest known Anthracotheres The genus was extremely widespread first The Miocene is a geological epoch of the Neogene period and extends from about 23 Merycopotamus is an extinct Genus of Asian Anthracothere that appeared during the Middle Miocene, and died out in the Late Pliocene Libycosaurus (" Lizard of Libya " was one of the last Anthracothere genera. Merycopotamus, Libycosaurus and all hippopotamids can be considered to form a clade, with Libycosaurus being more closely related to hippos. A clade is a taxonomic group comprising a single Common ancestor and all the descendants of that ancestor Their common ancestor would have lived in the Miocene, about 20 million years ago. The last species of anthracotheres became extinct during the pliocene. The Pliocene epoch (spelled Pleiocene in some older texts is the period in the Geologic timescale that extends [13]

Hippopotamids are therefore deeply nested within the family Anthracotheriidae. Anthracotheriidae is a family of extinct Hippopotamus -like Artiodactyl Ungulates related to both hippopotamuses and Pigs The oldest genus The oldest known hippopotamid is the genus Kenyapotamus which lived in Africa from 16 to 8 million years ago. Kenyapotamus ("(Dweller in the River of Kenya" is an extinct ancestor of the modern Hippopotamus which lived in Africa roughly 16 million to 8 million The Hippopotamidae are believed to have evolved in Africa, and while at one point species spread across Asia and Europe, no hippopotamuses have ever been discovered in the Americas, though, various anthracothere genera emigrated into North America during the early Oligocene. The Oligocene is a geologic epoch of the Paleogene period and extends from about 33 From 7. 5 to 1.8 million years ago an ancestor to the modern hippopotamus, the Archaeopotamus lived in Africa and the Middle East. Archaeopotamus is an extinct Genus of Hippopotamidae that lived between 7 [14]

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. Choeropsis is a genus of pygmy Hippopotamuses There are two known species one of which is extinct Pygmy Hippopotamus — Hexaprotodon is a genus of Hippopotamidae that is sometimes applied to the Pygmy hippopotamus. Scientists disagree whether or not the modern Pygmy Hippopotamus is a member of Hexaprotodon—a genus of many Asian Hippopotamuses that is more-closely related to Hippopotamus; or Choeropsis—an older and basal genus. The pygmy hippopotamus ( Choeropsis liberiensis) is a large Mammal native to the forests and swamps of Western Africa (the scientific species classification In Phylogenetics, a basal Clade is the earliest clade to branch in a larger clade it appears at the base of a cladogram [14][13]

Extinct species

Hippopotamus gorgops, which had unusually high orbits, lived in Europe but became extinct before the last Ice Age.
Hippopotamus gorgops, which had unusually high orbits, lived in Europe but became extinct before the last Ice Age. Hippopotamus gorgops (" Gorgon -eyed river horse" is an Extinct species of Hippopotamus.

As many as three species of Malagasy Hippopotamus became extinct during the Holocene on Madagascar, one of them within the past 1,000 years. Several species of Malagasy Hippopotamus (also known as Malagasy Dwarf Hippopotamus or Malagasy Pygmy Hippopotamus or Madagascan instead of Malagasy lived on the The Holocene is a Geological epoch which began approximately 10000 years ago (about 8000 BC Madagascar, or Republic of Madagascar (older name Malagasy Republic) is an Island nation in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern The Malagasy Hippos were smaller than the modern hippopotamus, likely through the process of insular dwarfism. Insular dwarfism is the process and condition of the reduction in size of large animals – almost always Mammals – when their gene pool is limited to a very small environment [15] There is fossil evidence that many Malagasy Hippos were hunted by humans, a likely factor in their eventual extinction. [16][15] Isolated members of Malagasy Hippopotamus may have survived in remote pockets; in 1976, villagers described a living animal called the Kilopilopitsofy, which may have been a Malagasy Hippopotamus. [17]

A separate species of Hippopotamus, the European Hippopotamus (H. The European Hippopotamus ( Hippopotamus antiquus) was a species of Hippopotamus that ranged across Europe, becoming extinct some time before the last antiquus) and H. gorgops ranged throughout continental Europe and the British Isles. Hippopotamus gorgops (" Gorgon -eyed river horse" is an Extinct species of Hippopotamus. Both species became extinct before the last glaciation. Ancestors of European Hippos, found their way to many islands of the Mediterranean, during the Pleistocene. The Pleistocene ('plaɪstəsin is the epoch from 18 million to 10000 years BP covering the world's recent period [18]

These Pleistocene dwarf hippos of the Mediterranean lived on Crete (H. The Cretan Dwarf Hippopotamus or Hippopotamus creutzburgi is an extinct hippopotamus. creutzburgi), Cyprus (H. The Cyprus Dwarf Hippopotamus or Cypriot Pygmy Hippopotamus ( Hippopotamus minor) is an extinct species of hippo that inhabited the island of Cyprus until minor), Malta (H. Hippopotamus melitensis is an extinct hippopotamus. It lived during the Pleistocene on Malta. melitensis) and Sicily (H. Hippopotamus pentlandi is an extinct hippopotamus. It lived during the Pleistocene on Sicily. pentlandi). Of these, the Cyprus Dwarf Hippopotamus, survived until the end of the Pleistocene or early Holocene. The Cyprus Dwarf Hippopotamus or Cypriot Pygmy Hippopotamus ( Hippopotamus minor) is an extinct species of hippo that inhabited the island of Cyprus until The Pleistocene ('plaɪstəsin is the epoch from 18 million to 10000 years BP covering the world's recent period Evidence from an archaeological site Aetokremnos, continues to cause debate on whether or not the species encountered, and was driven to extinction, by man. Aetokremnos is a rock shelter near Limassol on the southern coast of Cyprus. [19][18]

Description

The head of a hippo at the zoo in Lisbon.
The head of a hippo at the zoo in Lisbon. Lisbon (Lisboa liʒˈboɐ is the Capital and largest city of Portugal.

Hippopotamuses are one of the largest extant mammals in the world. Hippos are considered megafauna, but unlike all other African megafauna, hippos have adapted for a semi-aquatic life in freshwater lakes and rivers. Megafauna are species of large Animals ( Greek μεγας large + modern Latin fauna animal An adaptation is a characteristic of an Organism that has been favored by Natural selection and [5]

Because of their enormous size, hippopotamuses are difficult to weigh in the wild. Most estimates of the weight come from culling operations that were carried out in the 1960s. Culling is the 'selection' (removal and killing of surplus animals from an animal population The average weights for adult males ranged between 1500–1800 kg (3,300–4,000 lbs). Females are smaller than their male counterparts, with average weights measuring between 1300–1,500 kg (2,900–3,300 lbs). [5] Older males can get much larger, reaching at least 3,200 kg (7,100 lbs) and occasionally weighing 3636 kg (8000 lbs)[20]. Male hippos appear to continue growing throughout their lives; females reach a maximum weight at around age 25. [21]

On the National Geographic Channel television program, "Dangerous Encounters with Brady Barr", Dr. National Geographic Channel, also called Nat Geo, is a subscription television network that features Documentaries produced by the National Geographic Society Brady Barr measured the bite of an adult female hippo at 1,821 lb (826 kg). Brady Barr is the host of National Geographic 's Reptile Wild, Dangerous Encounters and Croc Chronicles With Dr Brady Barr. after abandoning an attempt to measure the bite of an adult male due to its aggressiveness. [22]

Hippos average 3. 5 meters (11 ft) long, 1. 5 meters (5 ft) tall at the shoulder. The range of hippopotamus sizes overlaps with the range of the White Rhinoceros; use of different metrics makes it unclear which is the largest land animal after elephants. The White Rhinoceros or Square-lipped rhinoceros ( Ceratotherium simum) is one of the five species of Rhinoceros that still exist and is one of the few Elephants ( family: Elephantidae) are large land Mammals of the order Proboscidea. Even though they are bulky animals, hippopotamuses can run faster than a human on land. Estimates of their running speed vary from 30 km/h (18 mph) to 40 km/h (25 mph), or even 50 km/h (30 mph). The hippo can maintain these higher speeds for only a few hundred meters or yards. [5]

A bull hippo out of water during daylight, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.
A bull hippo out of water during daylight, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.

A hippo's lifespan is typically 40 to 50 years. [5] Donna the Hippo, 56, is the oldest living hippo in captivity. She lives at the Mesker Park Zoo in Evansville, Indiana. The Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden is a Zoo located in Evansville Indiana. Evansville (ˈɛvənzˌvɪl is the third-largest city in the U [23][24] The oldest hippo ever was called Tanga; she lived in Munich, Germany, and died in 1995 at the age of 61. [25]

A drawing of a hippopotamus skeleton.
A drawing of a hippopotamus skeleton.

The eyes, ears, and nostrils of hippos are placed high on the roof of the skull. This allows them to be in the water with most of their body submerged in the waters and mud of tropical rivers to stay cool and prevent sunburn. The Tropics are centered on the Equator and limited in Latitude by the Tropic of Cancer in the northern hemisphere at approximately 23°26' (23 A sunburn is a burn to living tissue such as Skin produced by overexposure to Ultraviolet (UV radiation commonly from the Sun 's rays Their general anatomical structure is an adaptation to their riparian lifestyle. An adaptation is a characteristic of an Organism that has been favored by Natural selection and "Riparian" redirects here For the legal doctrine see " Riparian water rights. Their skeletal structure is graviportal, adapted to carrying the animals' enormous weight. Hippopotamuses have legs that are small, relative to other megafauna, because the water in which they live reduces the weight burden. Megafauna are species of large Animals ( Greek μεγας large + modern Latin fauna animal Like other aquatic mammals, the hippopotamus has very little hair. [5]

Eye of a hippo in San Francisco Zoo
Eye of a hippo in San Francisco Zoo

For additional protection from the sun, their skin secretes a natural sunscreen substance which is red-colored. Sunscreen (also known as sunblock or suntan lotion) is a Lotion, spray or other Topical product that absorbs or reflects the Sun 's The secretion is sometimes referred to as "blood sweat," but is neither blood nor sweat. This secretion is initially colorless and turns red-orange within minutes, eventually becoming brown. Two distinct pigments have been identified in the secretions, one red and one orange. For the drug referred to as "pigment" see Black tar heroin. The two pigments are highly acidic compounds. In Computer science, ACID ( Atomicity Consistency Isolation Durability) is a set of properties that guarantee that Database transactions are They are known as red pigment hipposudoric acid and orange pigment norhipposudoric acid. The red pigment was found to inhibit the growth of disease-causing bacteria, lending credence to the theory that the secretion has an antibiotic effect. The Bacteria ( singular: bacterium) are a large group of unicellular Microorganisms Typically a few Micrometres in length bacteria have In modern usage an antibiotic is a Chemotherapeutic agent with activity against Microorganisms such as Bacteria, fungi or Protozoa The light absorption of both pigments peaks in the ultraviolet range, creating a sunscreen effect. In Physics, absorption of electromagnetic radiation is the process by which the Energy of a Photon is taken up by matter typically the electrons of an Ultraviolet ( UV) light is Electromagnetic radiation with a Wavelength shorter than that of Visible light, but longer than X-rays All hippos, even those with different diets secrete the pigments, so it does not appear that food is the source of the pigments. Instead, the animals may synthesize the pigments from precursors such as the amino acid tyrosine. A protein precursor, also called a pro-protein or pro-peptide, is an inactive Protein (or Peptide) that can be turned into an active form by In Chemistry, an amino acid is a Molecule containing both Amine and Carboxyl Functional groups In Biochemistry, this Tyrosine (abbreviated as Tyr or Y) or 4-hydroxyphenylalanine, is one of the 20 Amino acids that are used by cells to synthesize [26]

Distribution

Hippopotamus amphibius was widespread in North Africa and Europe before the last glaciation event, and it can live in colder climates provided the water does not freeze during winter. North Africa or Northern Africa is the Northernmost Region of the African Continent, separated by the Sahara from Sub-Saharan "Glacial" and "Glaciation" redirect here For the geological periods see Glacial period. The species was common in Egypt's Nile region until historic times but has since been extirpated. This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. The Nile (النيل, Ancient Egyptian iteru or Ḥ'pī, Coptic piaro or phiaro) is a major north-flowing River Pliny the Elder writes that, in his time, the best location in Egypt for capturing this animal was in the Saite nome;[27] the animal could still be found along the Damietta branch after the Arab Conquest in 639. Gaius or Caius Plinius Secundus, ( AD 23 – August 25, AD 79 better known as Pliny the Elder, was an ancient Author Hippos are still found in the rivers and lakes of Uganda, Sudan, Somalia, Kenya, northern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ethiopia, west through Ghana to Gambia, and also in Southern Africa (Botswana, Republic of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia). The Republic of Uganda is a Landlocked country in East Africa. Sudan (officially the Republic of Sudan) ( السودان al-Sūdān is a country in northeastern Africa. Somalia ( Soomaaliya; الصومال) officially the Somali Republic ( Jamhuuriyadda Soomaaliya, جمهورية الصومال) and formerly known The Republic of Kenya is a country in East Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia to the north Somalia to the northeast Tanzania to the south The Democratic Republic of the Congo (République démocratique du Congo often referred to as DR Congo, DRC or RDC, and formerly known or referred to NOTE This intro is the result of careful NPOV work Please do not make potentially controversial edits to it without first discussing on the talk page The Republic of Ghana is a country in West Africa. It borders Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast to the west Burkina Faso to the north Togo to the Southern Africa is the Southernmost Region of the African Continent, variably defined by Geography or Geopolitics. The Republic of Botswana (Lefatshe la Botswana is a Landlocked nation in Southern Africa. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa See also Great Zimbabwe National Monument. For information about the March and June 2008 presidential elections see Zimbabwean presidential election The Republic of Zambia (ˈzæmbɪə is a Landlocked country in Southern Africa. A separate population exists in Tanzania and Mozambique. Tanzania ˌtænzəˈniːə officially the United Republic of Tanzania (Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique (Moçambique or República de Moçambique, ʁɛ'publikɐ d musɐ̃'bik is a country in southeastern Africa [5]

Conservation status

The Hippopotamus Hunt (1617), by Peter Paul Rubens.
The Hippopotamus Hunt (1617), by Peter Paul Rubens.

Evidence through genetic analysis suggests that common hippos in Africa experienced a marked population expansion during or after the Pleistocene Epoch, attributed to an increase in water bodies at the end of the era. The Pleistocene ('plaɪstəsin is the epoch from 18 million to 10000 years BP covering the world's recent period These findings have important conservation implications as Hippo populations across the continent are currently threatened by loss of access to fresh water. [6] Hippos are also subject to unregulated or illegal poaching. Poaching is the illegal Hunting, Fishing or Harvesting of wild plants or animals In addition to addressing these common threats, the genetic diversity of hippos would need to be preserved to ensure the safety of the species. In May 2006 the hippopotamus was identified as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List drawn up by the World Conservation Union (IUCN), with an estimated population of between 125,000 and 150,000 hippos, a decline of between 7 percent and 20 percent since the IUCN's 1996 study. A vulnerable species is a Species which is likely to become endangered unless the circumstances threatening its survival and reproduction improve The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (also known as the IUCN Red List or Red Data List) created in 1963 is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global [1]

The hippo population declined most dramatically in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (République démocratique du Congo often referred to as DR Congo, DRC or RDC, and formerly known or referred to [28] The population in Virunga National Park had dropped to 800 or 900 individuals from around 29,000 in the mid 1970s, raising concerns about the viability of that population. The Virunga National Park (formerly Albert National Park) lies from the Virunga Mountains, to the Rwenzori Mountains, in the eastern Democratic [29] The decline is attributed to the disruptions caused by the Second Congo War. The Second Congo War, also known as Africa's World War and the Great War of Africa, began in August 1998 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly [29] Poachers are believed to be former Hutu rebels, poorly paid Congolese soldiers, and local militia groups. The [29] Reasons for poaching include the belief that hippos are unintelligent, that they are a harm to society, and also for money. [30] The sale of hippo meat is illegal, but black-market sales are difficult for WWF officers to track. [29][30]

Invasive potential

In Colombia, Pablo Escobar maintained four hippos in a private menagerie at his residence in Hacienda Napoles, 100 km east of Medellín, after purchasing them in New Orleans. Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria', aka El Patrón or El Doctor ( December 1, 1949 – December 2, 1993) gained Hacienda Napoles (Spanish for Naples Estate) was the luxurious estate built and owned by Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar in Puerto Triunfo Medellín, officially the Municipio de Medellín (Spanish or Municipality of Medellín (English pronunciation mɛdəˈjiːn or, Spanish: or) is the second They were deemed too difficult to seize and move after the fall of Escobar, and hence left on the untended estate. By 2007, the animals had multiplied to 16 individuals and taken to roaming the area for food. Considered too difficult to move by local authorities, their fate remains uncertain as their presence is impeding development of the site. [31]

Behavior

An open mouth signals that the Hippo feels threatened.
An open mouth signals that the Hippo feels threatened.

Hippos spend most of their days wallowing in the water or the mud, with the other members of their pod. The water serves to keep their body temperature cool, and to keep their skin from drying out. With the exception of eating, most of hippopotamuses' lives—from childbirth, fighting with other hippos, and reproduction—occur in the water.

Hippos leave the water at dusk and travel inland, sometimes up to 8 kilometers (5 mi), to graze on short grass, their main source of food. They spend four to five hours grazing and can consume 68 kilograms (150 lb) of grass each night. [32] Like almost any herbivore, they will consume many other plants if presented with them, but their diet in nature consists almost entirely of grass, with only minimal consumption of aquatic plants. [33] Hippos have (rarely) been filmed eating carrion, usually close to the water. Carrion (from the Latin caro, meaning meat refers to the carcass of a dead animal There are other reports of meat-eating, and even cannibalism and predation. Cannibalism (from Spanish es ''caníbal'' in connection with cannibalism among the Antillean Caribs, also called anthropophagy (from Greek ἄνθρωπος [34] The stomach anatomy of a hippo is not suited to carnivory, and meat-eating is likely caused by aberrant behavior or nutritional stress. [5]

The diet of hippos consists mostly of terrestrial grasses, but they spend most of their time in the water. Most of their defecation occurs in the water, creating allochthonous deposits of organic matter along the river beds. In Structural geology, an allochthon (or allochthonous block is a large block of rock which has been moved from its original site of formation usually by These deposits have an unclear ecological function. [33] Because of their size and their habit of taking the same paths to feed, hippos can have a significant impact on the land they walk across, both by keeping the land clear of vegetation and depressing the ground. Over prolonged periods hippos can divert the paths of swamps and channels. [35]

A submerged hippo at the San Diego Zoo. Adult hippos typically resurface to breathe every 3–5 minutes.
A submerged hippo at the San Diego Zoo. The San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, San Diego, California is one of the largest most progressive Zoos in the world with over 4000 animals Adult hippos typically resurface to breathe every 3–5 minutes.

Interestingly, adult hippos can't actually swim and are not generally buoyant. In Physics, buoyancy ( BrE IPA: /ˈbɔɪənsi/ is the upward Force on an object produced by the surrounding liquid or gas in which it is When in deep water, they usually propel themselves by leaps, pushing off from the bottom. They move at speeds up to 8 km/h (5 mph) in water. However, young hippos are buoyant and more often move by swimming—propelling themselves with kicks of their back legs. Adult hippos typically resurface to breathe every 4–6 minutes. The young have to breathe every two to three minutes. [5] The process of surfacing and breathing is automatic, and even a hippo sleeping underwater will rise and breathe without waking. A hippo closes its nostrils when it submerges.

Social life

Studying the interaction of male and female hippopotamuses has long been complicated by the fact that hippos are not sexually dimorphic and thus females and young males are almost indistinguishable in the field. Sexual dimorphism is the systematic difference in form between individuals of different Sex in the same Species. [36] Although hippos like to lie in close proximity to each other, they do not seem to form social bonds except between mothers and daughters, and are not social animals. The reason they huddle in close proximity is unknown. [5]

It is difficult to identify the gender of hippos in the field, because all researchers can usually see are their backs, like with this pod in Tanzania.
It is difficult to identify the gender of hippos in the field, because all researchers can usually see are their backs, like with this pod in Tanzania. Tanzania ˌtænzəˈniːə officially the United Republic of Tanzania (Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya

Hippopotamuses are territorial only in water, where a bull presides over a small stretch of river, on average 250 meters in length, and containing ten females. The largest pods can contain up to 100 hippos. Other bachelors are allowed in a bull's stretch, as long as they behave submissively toward the bull. The territories of hippos exist to establish mating rights. Within the pods, the hippos tend to segregate by gender. Bachelors will lounge near other bachelors, females with other females, and the bull on his own. When hippos emerge from the water to graze, they do so individually. [5]

Hippopotamuses appear to communicate verbally, through grunts and bellows, and it is thought that they may practice echolocation, but the purpose of these vocalizations is currently unknown. Hippos have the unique ability to hold their head partially above the water and send out a cry that travels through both water and air; hippos above and under water will respond. [37]

Reproduction

Female hippos reach sexual maturity at 5 to 6 years of age and have a gestation period of 8 months. In mammals pregnancy is the period of Reproduction during which a Female carries one or more live offspring from Implantation in the uterus through A study of endocrine systems revealed that female hippopotamuses may begin puberty as early as 3 or 4 years of age. The endocrine system is an integrated system of small organs that involve the release of extracellular signaling molecules known as Hormones The endocrine system is instrumental [38] Males reach maturity at around 7. 5 years.

A study of hippopotamus reproductive behavior in Uganda showed that peak conceptions occurred during the end of the wet season in the summer, and peak births occurred toward the beginning of the wet season in late winter. This is because of the female's oestrous cycle; as with most large mammals, male hippopotamus spermatozoa is active year round. Oestrus is also the biological genus name of the gadfly. The estrous cycle (also oestrous cycle; derived from Latin A spermatozoon or spermatozoan ( pl spermatozoa) from the Ancient Greek σπέρμα (seed and ζῷον (living being and more commonly known Studies of hippos in Zambia and South Africa also showed evidence of births occurring at the start of the wet season. [5] After becoming pregnant, a female hippopotamus will typically not begin ovulation again for 17 months. [38]

Hippos can be rather dangerous to humans, as this sign from Kruger National Park notes.
Hippos can be rather dangerous to humans, as this sign from Kruger National Park notes. Kruger National Park is the largest Game reserve in South Africa.

Mating occurs in the water with the female submerged for most of the encounter, her head emerging periodically to draw breath. Hippos are one of the few mammals that give birth under water, along with Cetaceans and Sirenians (manatees and dugongs). Not to be confused with order Sirenidae (aquatic salamanders For the Gothic metal band see Sirenia (band Sirenia Manatees ( family Trichechidae, Genus Trichechus) are large fully aquatic Marine mammals sometimes known as sea The dugong ( Dugong dugon) is a large Marine Mammal which together with the Manatees is one of four living species of the order Sirenia Baby hippos are born underwater at a weight between 25 and 45 kg (60–110 lb) and an average length of around 127 cm (50 in) and must swim to the surface to take their first breath. A mother typically gives birth to only one hippo, although twins occur at an unknown ratio. The young often rest on their mothers' backs when in water that is too deep for them, and they swim underwater to suckle. They also will suckle on land when the mother leaves the water. Weaning starts between six and eight months after birth and most calves are fully weaned after a year. Weaning is the process of gradually introducing a Mammal Infant, either human or animal to what will be its adult diet and withdrawing the supply of its mother's [5]

Hippos are considered K-strategists, meaning that they favor quality over quantity in their reproduction. In Ecology, r/K selection theory relates to the selection of traits which promote success in particular environments K-selection is the norm for large animals that produce few young at each birth. [5][39]

Aggression

Hippopotami are very violent tempered animals. Adult hippos are hostile toward crocodiles, which often live in the same pools and rivers as hippos. A crocodile is any Species belonging to the family Crocodylidae (sometimes classified instead as the Subfamily Crocodylinae) This is especially so when hippo calves are around. Hippos have been known to be very aggressive towards humans, and it is often claimed that hippos are the deadliest animal in Africa; however, according to Smithsonian Magazine, while the animal is very dangerous, reliable statistics for this are unavailable. Smithsonian is a monthly Magazine published by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D [28]

To mark territory, hippos spin their tails while defecating to distribute their excrement over the greatest possible area. [40] Hippos also urinate backwards (are retromingent), likely for the same reason. [41]

Hippos rarely kill each other, even in territorial challenges. Usually a territorial bull and a challenging bachelor will stop fighting when it is clear that one hippo is stronger. When hippos become overpopulated, or when a habitat starts to shrink, bulls will sometimes attempt to kill infants; sometimes female hippos will kill the bulls to protect their infants, but neither behavior is common under normal conditions. [39]

Hippos and humans

A fayence sculpture, from the New Kingdom of Egypt, 18th/19th dynasty, c. 1500-1300 BC, when hippos were still widespread along the Nile.
A fayence sculpture, from the New Kingdom of Egypt, 18th/19th dynasty, c. The New Kingdom, sometimes referred to as the Egyptian Empire, is the period in Ancient Egyptian history between the 16th century BC and 1500-1300 BC, when hippos were still widespread along the Nile. The Nile (النيل, Ancient Egyptian iteru or Ḥ'pī, Coptic piaro or phiaro) is a major north-flowing River
Obaysch lounging at the London Zoo in 1852.
Obaysch lounging at the London Zoo in 1852. Obaysch (1849?- 11 March 1878) was the first Hippopotamus seen in England since prehistoric times, and the first in Europe ZSL London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific Zoo. It was opened in London on April 27 1828, and was originally intended to be used
The cover of the Hippopotamus Polka. The unlikely portrayal of dancing hippos was echoed in Disney's Fantasia.
The cover of the Hippopotamus Polka. The unlikely portrayal of dancing hippos was echoed in Disney's Fantasia. Fantasia is a 1940 Animated film produced by Walt Disney, and is the third film in the Walt Disney Animated Classics.

The earliest evidence of human interaction with hippos comes from rock paintings and engravings in the mountains of the central Sahara. The Sahara (الصحراء الكبرى aṣ-ṣaḥrā´ al-kubra, "The Great Desert" is the world's largest hot Desert and the world's second largest One such drawing, dated 4,000–5,000 years ago near Djanet in the Tassili n'Ajjer Mountains, shows hippos being hunted. Djanet (جانيت is an Oasis city in southeast Algeria. It is located in Illizi Province, 412 Kilometers from Illizi Tassili n'Ajjer ( Tamazight, "Plateau of the Rivers" is a Mountain range in the Sahara Desert in southeast Algeria, Hippos were also well-known to the ancient Egyptians, where the hippo was recognized as a ferocious denizen of the Nile. Ancient Egypt was an Ancient Civilization in eastern North Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now The Nile (النيل, Ancient Egyptian iteru or Ḥ'pī, Coptic piaro or phiaro) is a major north-flowing River [5] In Egyptian mythology, the hippopotamus-headed Tawaret, was a goddess of protection in pregnancy and childbirth, because ancient Egyptians recognized the protective nature of a female hippopotamus toward her young. Ancient Egyptian religion encompasses the various religious beliefs and rituals practiced in Ancient Egypt from the predynastic period until the adoption of Christianity [42]

The hippopotamus has been known to historians since Classical antiquity. Classical antiquity (also the classical era or classical period) is a broad term for a long period of cultural History centered on the Mediterranean The Greek historian Herodotus described the hippopotamus in The Histories (written circa 440 BC) and the Roman Historian Pliny the Elder wrote about the hippopotamus in his encyclopedia Naturalis Historia (written circa 77 AD). Herodotus of Halicarnassus ( Greek: Hēródotos Halikarnāsseús) was a Greek Historian who lived in the 5th century BC ( 484 BC&ndash The Histories of Herodotus of Halicarnassus is considered the first work of history in Western literature. Circa (often abbreviated c, ca, ca or cca and sometimes Italicized to show it is Latin) means "about" Gaius or Caius Plinius Secundus, ( AD 23 – August 25, AD 79 better known as Pliny the Elder, was an ancient Author Naturalis Historia ( Latin for "Natural History" is an Encyclopedia written Circa AD 77 by Pliny the Elder. [43][27]

Hippos in zoos

Hippopotamuses have long been popular zoo animals. The first zoo hippo in modern history was Obaysch who arrived at the London Zoo on May 25, 1850, where he attracted up to 10,000 visitors a day and inspired a popular song, the Hippopotamus Polka. Obaysch (1849?- 11 March 1878) was the first Hippopotamus seen in England since prehistoric times, and the first in Europe ZSL London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific Zoo. It was opened in London on April 27 1828, and was originally intended to be used [44] Hippos have remained popular zoo animals since Obaysch, and generally breed well in captivity. Their birth rates are lower than in the wild, but this is attributed to zoos not wanting to breed as many hippos as possible, since hippos are large and relatively expensive animals to maintain. [5][44]

Most hippos in zoos were born in captivity. There are enough hippos in the international zoo system, that introducing further animals from the wild will be unnecessary if zoos cooperate to maintain the genetic diversity of the breeding stock. [5]

Like many zoo animals, hippos were traditionally displayed in concrete exhibits. In the case of hippos, they usually had a pool of water and patch of grass. In the 1980s, zoo designers increasingly designed exhibits that reflected the animals' native habitats. The best known of these, the Toledo Zoo Hippoquarium, features a 360,000 gallon pool for hippos. The Toledo Zoo Hippoquarium is an underwater viewing exhibit for Hippopotamuses Because of the popularity of the Hippoquarium the zoo made a new logo featuring hippos and became [45] In 1987, researchers were able to tape, for the first time, an underwater birth (as in the wild) at the Toledo Zoo. The exhibit was so popular that the hippos became the logo of the Toledo Zoo. The Toledo Zoo is a Zoo located in Toledo Ohio. The zoo began in 0000 as the Toledo Zoological Gardens and operated by the City of Toledo's Parks Board [46]

Cultural depictions

The Hippopotami was known to the Greeks and Romans as the Beast of the Nile. The Nile (النيل, Ancient Egyptian iteru or Ḥ'pī, Coptic piaro or phiaro) is a major north-flowing River A red hippo also represented the Ancient Egyptian god Set; the thigh is the 'phallic leg of set' symbolic of virility. Ancient Egyptian religion encompasses the various religious beliefs and rituals practiced in Ancient Egypt from the predynastic period until the adoption of Christianity In Ancient Egyptian mythology, Set (also spelled Seth, Sutekh or Seteh) is an ancient god who was originally the god of the Desert Set's consort Tawaret was also seen as part hippo. [47] The Behemoth from the Book of Job, 40:15-24 is also thought to be based on a hippo. Behemoth ( Hebrew בהמות, behemot; Arabic بهيموث bahīmūth, or بهموت bahamūt The Book of Job ( איוב) is one of the books of the Hebrew Bible. [48]

Ever since Obaysch inspired the Hippopotamus Polka, hippos have been popular animals in western culture for their rotund appearance that many consider comical. Obaysch (1849?- 11 March 1878) was the first Hippopotamus seen in England since prehistoric times, and the first in Europe Western culture (sometimes equated with Western Civilization) are terms which are used to refer to Cultures of European origin [44] Stories of hippos like Huberta who became a celebrity in South Africa in the 1930s for trekking across the country;[49] or the tale of Owen and Mzee, a hippo and tortoise who developed an intimate bond; have amused people who have bought hippo books, merchandise, and many a stuffed hippo toy. Huberta was a Hippopotamus and one of the most famous Animals in South African history The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa Owen and Mzee are a Hippopotamus and a Tortoise, respectively that became the subject of much media attention after forming a unique bond of Friendship [50][51] Hippos were mentioned in the novelty Christmas song "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" that became a hit for child star Gayla Peevey in 1953. I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas is a Christmas Novelty song written by John Rox and performed by Gayla Peevey (10 years old at the time Gayla Peevey (born 1943) is perhaps best known for her song " I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas " ( Columbia, 1953) [52] They even inspired a popular board game, Hungry Hungry Hippos. Hungry Hungry Hippos is a Board game made for young children currently produced by Hasbro of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States [53][54]

"The Hippopotamus Song" (aka "Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud!") by Flanders and Swann is noted for its often-strained rhymes for "hippopotamus" ("gazed at the bottom as. The British duo "Flanders and Swann" were the actor and singer Michael Flanders (1922&ndash1975 and the composer pianist and linguist Donald Swann . . "; "The hippopot-A-mus was no ignoramus. . . "), "hippopotami" ("I wonder, now, what am I. . . "; "A regular army of hippopot-ah-mi. . . ) and even the implied feminine "hippopotama" (". . . as she hadn't got a Ma. . . ").

Hippos have been popular cartoon characters, where their roly-poly frame is used for humorous effect. In the Disney film Fantasia featured a ballerina hippopotamus dancing to the opera, La Gioconda. Fantasia is a 1940 Animated film produced by Walt Disney, and is the third film in the Walt Disney Animated Classics. La Gioconda is an Opera in four acts by Amilcare Ponchielli to an Italian Libretto by Arrigo Boito, based on Angelo by [28] Other cartoon hippos have included Hanna-Barbera's Peter Potamus, the book and TV series George and Martha, and Flavio and Marita on the Animaniacs. Peter Potamus is an animated television series produced by Hanna-Barbera and first broadcast on September 16, 1964 (Early promotional materials George and Martha is an animated children's television show which comprises 26 episodes made in 1999 Flavio and Marita, the "Hip Hippos " are characters which were introduced by Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs an animated Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs, usually referred to as Animaniacs, is an American animated series, distributed by Warner Bros The hippopotamus characters "Happy Hippos" have been created 1988 by the french designer Andre Roche [1] based in Munich, to be hidden in the "Kinder Surprise egg" of the Italian chocolate company Ferrero SpA. Ferrero SpA is an Italian manufacturer of Chocolate and other confectionery products founded by Confectioner Pietro Ferrero in 1946 These characters were not placid like real hippos but rather cute and lively, and had such a success that they reappeared several times in different products of this company in the following years, increasing their popularity worldwide each time. The Nintendo company published in the years 2001 and 2007 Game Boys adventures of them.

In the game of chess, the hippopotamus lends its name to the Hippopotamus Defence, a solid if unadventurous opening system. The Hippopotamus Defence is a name for various irregular chess opening systems in which Black moves a number of his pawns to the third rank often developing his pieces

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External links

Dictionary

hippopotamus

-noun

  1. A large, semi-aquatic, herbivorous (plant-eating) African mammal (Hippopotamus amphibius) that spends most of the day living in water, but comes on to land at night to feed. Of all living land animals, only the elephant is larger.
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