hippopotamus

A hippopotamus is the largest member of the pig family. It is a native of East Africa and lives in a large herd. It is always found near river and lakes. The hippopotamus feeds on water plants. Its favorite activity is to roll about in the cool mud. Although the hippopotamus likes water very much, it can remain under water for only about five minutes.

The female gives birth to single young. The baby hippopotamus can stand and walk within an hour after birth. It weighs a little over twenty seven kilograms at birth and within a year its weight increases to several hundred kilograms. Most hippopotamus reach full height at the age of seven. At this time, they may weigh as much as four thousand kilograms.

Today, the number of hippopotamus is becoming less. The natives hunt them for food.