The Hippos is responsible for more human fatalities than any other large animal. Step aside lion, tiger, and near, here are 7 Reasons Why the Hippopotamus is the DEADLIEST Land Animal! SUBSCRIBE for the latest videos: https://goo.gl/7xzjzR Don't forget to CHECK OUT our latest upload: https://goo.gl/LUB8Xw 7. Hippo Habitat A large semi-aquatic species, the hippopotamus is found wading or wallowing in the majestic rivers and lakes of sub-Saharan Africa. Deriving from the ancient Greek name meaning “river-horse”, the hippo is nothing like those lean chariots of the wild. In fact, pigs, whales, and dolphins are the closest living relatives to the two species of hippo in existence: the common hippo and the much smaller, pygmy hippo. The common variety takes the bait as the third largest living land mammal after white rhinos and elephants. 6. Characteristics These giants are about 10 to 16 feet long, 5 feet tall, with the females weighing a whopping 3,000 pounds, and their male counterparts nearing an astonishing 10,000 pounds. Generally, a hippo will live 40-50 years in both captivity and in the wild, with the longest living hippopotamus exceeding a generous 61 years. Even more enormous than their size is their massive chompers— with canine and incisor teeth which never stop growing and reach an amazing 20 inches in length. 5. The Hippo Siege Hippopotamus are very sociable species, living in groups that range from 10 to 100. These tightknit bands are referred to as bloat, pod, or siege. These animals are extremely territorial and will save other creatures from death if it means making a point to another animal who has trespassed on their turf in search of a hasty meal. 4. Hippo Nurturing Females endure a similar timespan to humans and only give birth to one baby at a time. While breeding can occur year-round, fertilization generally happens in the months between February and August. The gestation period lasts for eight months and due to the parental investment to their young, a female will usually only mate every other year. A newborn hippo will weigh about 99 pounds and can suckle on land or underwater by closing their ears and nostrils, and for 18 months mother and baby live in happy, harmony this way. Eventually, mother and child muster up the courage to join another school of hippo's, in order to ensure protection against crocodiles, lions, and hyenas. At 5 to 7 years old, the hippo calf is fully mature. 3. Hippo Protection The only predator to the hippopotamus is themselves and humans. While babies are vulnerable to lions and crocodiles, an adult hippo is safe from any other animal except for us and their own. In 2008, the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) classified the species as having vulnerable status. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, in particular, the population is in serious decline. Once found all over central and southern Africa, the hippopotamus was prominent around the Nile and could be found happily bathing up to the Mediterranean. 2. Hippos Make the World Go Round As evolution would so kindly have it, nature sought out the nutritional value in hippo excrement and found a way to benefit other life forms. The organic matter is a crucial component for a numerous amount of river fish and insects, and the waste from a hippopotamus is a valuable food and energy source for these terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Scientists know this because they have found the organic waste in species of fish and bugs— from birds, bats, snakes and spiders— and they’ve found that the rate of absorption is at its peak during the driest season when the excrement is more available, as it’s not broken down as easily by the rushing waters. 1. When Hippos Attack Whether it be swallowed, chewed, or drowned, there have been some strange cases involving human deaths by a hippopotamus. They are responsible for more fatalities in Africa than lions, tigers, cheetahs or even ostriches, killing up to 500 humans a year. Marius Els was a pioneer for agriculture and a humanitarian for taking in abandoned baby animals, which is exactly what happened with his hippo pal, Humphrey. One evening an ambulance was called to the scene where officials found that El had been bitten several times, as Humphrey had simultaneously held his body underwater for an undetermined amount of time. The farmer was instantly pronounced dead, and so too was the relationship between hippo and human. Paul Templer was well aware of the trouble caused when male hippos actively defend their territory. Templer had been leading a group of kayakers on a stretch of land he was well familiar with, having worked there for many years, when suddenly and without warning— “the grouchy old two-ton bull carried out the occasional half-hearted attack,” he told the Guardian.
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