To anyone in Africa, the sight of a hippopotamus means one thing-run! When left alone, this creature is usually harmless, but the slightest agitation can send the hippo into a rampage. Although it's a vegetarian, this massive beast attacks intruders and kills more people in Africa every year than lions or crocodiles.
Big Mouth: The hippo can open its huge mouth to an incredible 150° angle. Equipped with thick, lower canine teeth that can reach 28 inches in length, the hippo's jaws are effective weapons for fighting or attacking.
Hungry Hippos: Hippos haul themselves out of the water when it's time to eat, usually at night. Open grasslands where these giants regularly feed are called "hippo lawns."
Keep Out![]
Male hippos fight it out.
The hippopotamus may look big and lazy, but this beast is extremely territorial-and it has a very bad temper. If a male hippo enters another male's territory, the visitor must act submissive. Otherwise, the dominant male picks a fight. The hippos swing their open jaws and try to gore each other with their thick canine teeth. These battles can last for more than two hours, and can prove fatal for the loser.
Lazy River: Most of the hippo's day is spent in the water with only the top of its head poking above the surface. The creature moves so little that algae grow on its skin.
Pink Sunscreen: The hippo is very sensitive to the sun. The huge mammal's smooth skin produces a sticky pink liquid that protects it from harmful sunrays and keeps its skin moist when on land.
Beware the Hippo[]
- Hunters who invade a hippo's territory are practically inviting trouble, even if they're secure in a small boat.
- When the boat gets too close, a hippo may swim underneath and flip the boat with a thrust of its mighty head.
- The hunters are thrown into the water where the angry hippo attacks, inflicting deep wounds with its wide jaws and strong teeth.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- The hippopotamus is mentioned on several other cards:
- The trading card for the Babirusa mentions how some people think the two creatures are related.
- The knowledge card for the Dinogorgon uses the hippo as a size comparison for one of the creature's preys, the dicynodon.
- It is referenced on the Bull Shark's trading card, stating they are known to fight sometimes.
- The Mokele-Mbembe's trading card mentions the cryptid attacking hippos.
- The hippopotamus is featured in Killer Smiles on Monster Mania 10.
- The hippopotamus is one of three hoofed African herbivores in the Nightmares of Nature category, along with the African Buffalo and Black Rhino.
- Hippos are closely related to cetaceans such as whales and dolphins.
- The subheading “Hungry Hippos” is a reference to the popular game, Hungry Hungry Hippos.
- Hippopotamus shares the heading "Big Mouth" with Tasmanian Wolf and Ornate Horned Frog.