Hippopotamus (scientific name: Hippopotamus amphibius) is a large semi-aquatic mammal from sub-Saharan Africa. Hippopotamus is barrel-shaped, with bare skin, short limbs, wide and heavy head, eyes and nose on the top of the head, small ears, dark reddish brown body and pink abdomen. Male body length is 260 ~ 350 cm, shoulder height is 129 ~ 172 cm, and weight is 955 ~ 1999 kg. Female body length is 259 ~ 337 cm, shoulder height is 1 10 ~ 158 cm, and weight is 995 ~ 1850 kg.
Hippos are distributed in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa and inhabit rivers, lakes and swamps. Hippos are mainly herbivores, but they usually don't eat aquatic vegetation, but eat grass in different places from water sources. Hippos gather in the water during the day and feed alone at night. Hippos are only territorial in water, and the dominant male hippos dominate other individuals in the territory. Hippopotamus is about 8 months pregnant, and there are several births at a time. According to records, the life span of captive hippopotamus can reach 6 1 year, and that of wild hippopotamus is 40-50 years old.
The number of hippopotamus in 20 17 years is estimated to be1.5 ~130,000, and the population trend is relatively stable, with obvious regional differences in distribution. In 20 17, the World Conservation Union (IUCN) listed hippopotamus as a vulnerable (VU) species, and in 20 17, it was listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, and international trade was strictly controlled.