World Hippo Day

Each year, World Hippo Day on February 15th marks the world's third-largest mammal. It's also a day to learn more about the hippopotamus.

The blue whale and the African elephant are the only two mammals in the world that are larger than the hippopotamus. In ancient Greek, the word hippo refers to a river horse. The massive animal weighs in at 8,000 pounds. There is only one continent in the world where you can find a hippo. Africa is located on the continent of Africa. Hippos are native to over 30 countries in Africa. These herbivores live in the wild for up to 50 years. There are only two species of hippos on the planet. These include the common hippopotamus and the pygmy hippo.

Here are some more interesting hippopotamus facts: Here are some more interesting hippopotamus facts:

They keep an oily red powder on their skin that acts as sunblock and a moisturizer
Hippos can sink up to 16 hours a day submerged in water, but they must come up every 5 minutes for air
In the water, mother hippos give birth to their babies
Baby hippos weigh about 100 pounds
Every two years, female hippos give birth to one calf
Even though hippos don't look fast, they can go up to 19 mph
In a 4 to 5 hour grazing period, Hippos consume nearly 150 pounds of grass
Hippos are the world's most invasive animals, killing 500 humans a year

The hippo's hyenas, lions, and crocodiles are among the hippo's predators. Unfortunately, humans have also evolved to become a primary predator. Some hunters hunt hippos for their meat, while others hunt for ivory canine teeth. Since the ban on the international trade of elephant ivory in 1989, demand for hippo teeth has increased. Despite recent attempts to prohibit the selling of hippo teeth, the animal is still vulnerable. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the smallest decline in the hippo population has occurred over the years.

How to celebrate #worldhippoday

Many zoos, wildlife groups, and conservation organizations hold events to celebrate the hippo and inform the public about this fascinating mammal. To participate: To participate: To participate: To participate: You must register:

Learn more about the hippo
Donate to an organization, such as the African Wildlife Foundation, that is attempting to save the hippo
Find photos and fun facts about hippos on the internet and post them on social media
Go check it out if your zoo has a hippo exhibit
Watch clips or a documentary about hippos
Hungry Hippos is a board game that can be played on a board game

Whatever you do, use #WorldHippoDay when posting on social media.