00:00The hippopotamus, or hippopotamus amphibious in scientific terms, is a large semi-aquatic
00:07mammal that lives in Africa.
00:09It is the third largest land mammal after the elephant and the rhinoceros.
00:14An adult hippopotamus can weigh up to 1.5 tons.
00:18Its thick skin is almost like armor and is usually gray or brown in color.
00:24To protect their skin from sun damage, they secrete a pink-colored, sweat-like fluid.
00:31This acts as a natural sunscreen for them.
00:34As the name suggests, hippos spend most of their time in water.
00:39They live in rivers and lakes.
00:41The water helps keep them cool and supports their heavy bodies.
00:45On land, they are surprisingly fast.
00:48They can reach speeds of up to 30 kilometers per hour over short distances.
00:53Even though they are herbivores, hippos can be extremely aggressive.
00:59Their teeth are very large.
01:01And especially the male's lower incisors can grow up to 50 centimeters long.
01:07They live in groups, usually consisting of one male and several females.
01:13At night, they leave the water to graze on grass.
01:17Hippos have been symbols of strength and wildness in many African cultures.
01:23Although they look cute, they are actually one of the most dangerous animals to humans in
01:28Africa.
01:29However, their population is under threat due to habitat loss and hunting.
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