The more you learn about these semi-aquatic beasts, the more you will discover several surprising hippopotamus facts. The hippoâs teeth are sharp, encased in a mouth whose width is around 4 feet. Such a bite can easily crush a watermelon (something a normal human being would need … Hippos sink to the bottom of the water and then move by walking, trotting, jogging or running. On land, they can outrun a human. Hippos are almost completely hairless except for a few whiskers around their mouths and a tuft of hair on their tails. Another of several astonishing hippo facts is that these beasts can chomp down with a brutal force of about 2,000 pounds per square inch. Because they are up most of the night foraging for food, they spend a majority of the daytime in the water which is when they sleep. Source(s): https://owly.im/a8IDw. Ultimately, such hippopotamus will starve to death. This is crucial as a baby hippo canât hold its breath for more than 40 seconds at a given time. They are native to Africa and could grow up to 16.5 feet in length and 5.2 feet in height. Despite this capacity to sleep underwater, a hippocampus generally prefers sleeping underwater in areas where the water is shallower. That’s probably one of the most surprising hippopotamus facts of all. In this guide, we will explore in entirety what is behind the power of the hippo bite as far as learning about the behavioral profile of the hippopotamus. Due to their enormous size, hippos donât boast the agility of more avid hunters like lions and tigers. Hippos use these enlarged teeth for fighting. You'll see many Ugandan animals, including hippos, elephants, cape buffalo, marabou stork, and nile crocodiles. They love the water and can spend up to 16 hours a day in it, keeping their skin cool. Many of these herds contain females, but bachelor hippos are allowed inside the community as long as they know to respect the bull hippo and not flirt with any of the females. Hippo Bite Force. Constant breaking down of food would progressively wear the hippoâs molars down due to friction. This is similar to the wrestling you see in deer when they lock antlers in fights. After it is weaned, it will continue to stay nearby its mother for up to seven or eight years until it is fully grown. How strong is a hippo bite? Some adult males (called bulls) can weigh up to nearly three tons, but the average range is between 3,300 and 7,050 pounds (1,500 and 3,200 kg). The Democratic Republic of the Congo once boasted the largest population of hippos until the country’s Second Congo War wiped out tens of thousands during the mid-1970s. They have huge mouths with super sharp teeth and tusks and have been known to take down large animals such as buffalo, impala, and kudu. Among the more interesting hippo facts is that hippos don’t drown because they close their ears and nostrils while underwater. Habitat loss and unregulated poaching and hunting are the top reasons why hippo numbers are declining. Is it legal? That’s one main reason behind the weak bite force of lions. How Strong Is An Orca? Saltwater Crocodile. Watch two hippo bulls clash in this video: Yes, hippos do contain ivory. I also blog about photography with a focus on GoPro cameras. Want to know why? Family life Share is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. The hippopotamus is not an avid swimmer nonetheless, even though it has webbed feet. Baby hippos nurse underwater by closing their nostrils and ears, but they also nurse on land as well. The way they look at it is, the bigger the mouth, the better husband and father. A hippopotamus has one of the strongest bite forces in the mammalian kingdom. The typical lifespan for a hippo is between 35 and 50 years. Jaguars are 2000 psi. But at the same times, we are also participants in life. This allows the hippo to keep its face above water while the rest of its body is submerged. It makes sense, given the hippo’s highly aggressive nature, intimidating size and the insane bite force those massive bone-crushing jaws produce. What is the habitat of the common hippo? Birds? Even though hippos live in the water with fish, they don’t eat fish. Outside its clan, the hippo doesnât commune with a lot of animals. Hippos are often killed because they pose such a dangerous threat to people competing for fresh water. The hippo’s head is large and elongated with the eyes, ears, and nostrils situated on the top part. The Brown Bear is the largest terrestrial carnivoran. Dr. Brady Barr measured the bite force of an adult female at 8,100 newtons (1,800 lbf). Keep reading for more hippopotamus facts and we'll tell you the reasons. By changing up the ecosystem like this, hippos construct shelter and habitats for smaller creatures. There have been many infamous cases of hippos charging at boats in water (and drowning its passengers), invading crops bordering water bodies, or hunting calves that stray into their territory. Hippos are huge, docile mammals. 1302 Liked! A rhino could stand a better chance of killing a hippo away from water because if a hippo can pull the rhino into its territory, it could be history for the rhino. Perhaps it is more accurate to say that rhinos and hippos are capable of killing each other. I'm a traveler and photographer. Family life Share also participates in affiliate programs with Impact and other sites. More reading: How fast can a crocodile run? This enormous bite force can be attributed not only to the hippoâs incisive tusks but also to its powerful jaws. They grunt, grumble, bellow, roar, honk, humph, and wheeze loudly. However, they can only keep up these high speeds for a few hundred meters. But this is not common, as the generality of hippos trots. 2. Average of 1766kg / cm2. BFQ: 99.3. Some people say a rhino can kill a hippo, but there is much debate about that. 57. orion nelson November 9, 2015 Reply. You could say that hippos love hanging out with their bloats. No matter how small or large a group, all hippo herds are led by a single, dominant bull. A fully grown hippo can have anywhere from 38-42 teeth. Only the female hippos bite force has been measured since the male was much too aggressive to test, but it measured at a whopping 1821 pounds per square inch. Sgt. Hippo teeth sharpen themselves as they grind together. It is believed that they rest for short periods of time. Yo hippo’s SO FAT not even Dora could explore her. And not only can adult hippos not swim, but they aren’t even buoyant. Over the centuries, native African tribes have traditionally eaten hippos, but few animals are ever willing to take on a hippopotamus for supper. Required fields are marked *. For some bull hippos, it’s 180 degrees. Each jaw is outfitted with a big pair of incisors. The extraordinary bite of crocodilians is explained by … We take our roles as parents, kids, citizens in our society. We want to provide high-quality content to people who are looking for these topics. A hippo calf will nurse its mother until it’s about 18 months old. Adult hippos can stay underwater for up to five minutes at a time. Orca Bite Force and 13 Other Facts, link to How Strong Is A Grizzly Bear? A grizzly bear (also referred to as Ursus arctos horribilis) is a subspecies of the brown bear that is primarily found within the North American region. And we also cover pink hippo milk and poop sprinklers. Some of the many African countries where hippos can be found include: Uganda, Kenya, Sudan, Rwanda, Botswana, Senegal, Gambia, Chad, Zambia, Togo, Tanzania, Mozambique, Ghana, the Republic of Congo, and South Africa. It tastes exactly like, well, hippo.”. Although its exact bite force hasn’t been measured, the piranha is able to exert a force of up to 30 times its own weight, which is unheard of in the animal kingdom. When a baby hippo is born in water, the mother will propel it up to the water surface to breathe properly. Entertaining, but be sure to keep your distance. Others claim the hippo has more advantages that include its enormous mouth that can dole out lethal damage. This pack leader reserves the privilege to mate with just any adult female hippo in its pack. The hippo boasts a force of 2000 psi in its bite. The combatants can weigh two tons; it's a tail-biting clash of the titans. A hipo bite has left many people in africa without an arm or leg. Such an emotionally consolidated relationship pushes the mother to wholeheartedly defend her calf from predators like crocodiles, hyenas, and even lions â often putting herself sacrificially in harmâs way to protect her young. Obviously, this is wrong. Aggression is more prevalent in male hippos, who start jaw-to-jaw sparring contests as early as 7 years when they are just adolescents. A pack of lions may work together to bring an adult hippo down, but they would have to be really hungry to make such a dangerous attempt. Hippos can open their mouth at 180 degrees, with frightening canines that can grow as long as one 1 ft 8 in with incisors that get as long as 1 ft 4 in. The jaguar has the strongest bite of any big cat relative to its size. The hippo’s closest cousins are cows and whales. It is believed to be the bite of a Nile crocodile is as high as … Underwater, the hippos run along riverbeds, creating channels and redirecting water. Whoops! They have been timed running between 19 and 25 mph (30 and 40 km/h). Their digestive systems are not suited for digesting meat. Yes, hippos do roar. link to How Strong Is An Orca? They just want you to think that! Hippos are known to crush their kill, and this effort is made easier as a hippo has a bite force of nearly 2,000 pounds per square inch. 1 decade ago. Hippos play an important role in the African ecosystem. When they do, there is a high tendency that the mammal could start to drown and consequently choke. A group of hippos is called by many different terms by various people. Dogs turn their powerful jaws on millions of Americans every year, and a small handful of those on the receiving end of dog bites even die as a result. Spotted hyena has an aggression and a biting force that rates as one of the most powerful among mammals. Tusk clashing consists of males locking teeth and wrestling. By way of comparison, a healthy human male has a bite force of about 200 PSI, and a full-grown saltwater crocodile tilts the dials at 4,000 PSI. That said, the hippo canât jump. That's stronger than a bite force of a full grown adult hippo (yes, this thing). Here are some more amazing hippo facts for you: Surfacing and breathing are automatic for hippos. Some people say the rhino would triumph because of its larger size, vicious horn, and faster speed. For a 2-month calf, they canât stay underwater for more than 30 seconds. Specifically, among all land animals, hippos have the largest teeth. The hippopotamus delivers a bite with a whopping bite force of 1, 821 psi. There are countless videos of hippos spraying poop everywhere by mixing their runny poo with a rotating tail action. However, there have been a few hippos that were observed eating buffalo, wildebeest, and impala as well as another hippo eating the carcass of its own species. Although it is not common, bull hippos do attack and kill hippo calves. I am not sure what hippo meat tastes like, but I have heard it tastes bland. We hope these hippopotamus facts have helped you learn more about one of Africa’s most amazing creatures. You would think that an animal that spends a majority of its time in the water could swim, but hippos cannot. If you see a hippo yawning, you may think it’s cute, but in reality, a hippo yawn is a warning signal. The remaining teeth are canine tusks and incisors. Baby hippos are called calves. Hippos share a unique mechanism with dolphins and whales that allows them to sleep with just half of their brain at a given time. Paleobiologist Gregory M. Erickson and colleagues put all 23 living crocodilian species through an unprecedented bite test. Simply put, crocodiles are afraid of hippos because they can break a crocodile’s back with one single chomp. As if that’s not enough reason to fear, hippos live in large groups, and no crocodile is going to risk being mobbed. Neither blood nor sweat, this secretion is a natural sunscreen that protects the hippo’s naked skin from the harsh African sun. But we’re talking about all the animals in the world so let’s go through the list. Hippos give birth underwater where they are the safest, but it's usually in shallow water. It’s not known exactly how many hours hippos sleep per day. 9 Tiger- Bite force : 1050 psi Weighing up to 933 lbs (Siberian Tiger) tiger is the largest of all cats in the world. The bite force of all the animals mentioned above were calculated in PSI. Rather, they lock their teeth against each other when they fight among themselves, biting and pushing with their lower jaws, leveraging their strength and weight. Hippos are notably aggressive and are dangerous to interact with closely. These reduced legs suffice for the hippo despite their enlarged sizes because the water (they are majorly domiciled in) causes their weight to drop significantly. 11. They can only hold their breath for about 40 seconds at a time. Research by Adam Hartstone-Rose and colleagues at the University of South Carolina, who compared the bite forces of nine different cat species, reveals that a jaguar’s bite force is only three-quarters as strong as a tiger’s bite force. Despite their size and short legs, they are agile and can run really fast. This means a hippo could take up a majority of your living room! The herd is randomly composed of adult male and female hippos. Theyâre a popular bear species known for... We are a website with excellent writers and editors. 12. I'm quite interested to know the bite force of a full grown bull Hippo. When irritated, hippos can charge on land at 30km/hr. Being territorially aggressive, it is highly unlikely for the hippo to build a congenial or even symbiotic relationship with other animals. The premolars and molars take care of grinding duties, courtesy of their flat ridges. Rhinos actually have no natural predators (except for humans of course) due to their power, tough hide, horns, and aggression when provoked. A common hippo can grow up to a little over 5 feet (1.52 m) tall at the shoulder and between 10 and 16 feet (3 and 5 m)long. Hippos are also hostile to themselves. They are enormous creatures that can crush you in a heartbeat or drown you by overturning your boat. Hi, I'm Bryan Haines. Orca Bite Force and 13 Other Facts. Alarming statistics from BBC show that kill no less than 500 people in Africa annually, cementing its place among the worldâs most dangerous land animals. No, hippos are not endangered, but they are declared vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This strong bond is commonly demonstrated in the mother hippo and her baby cuddling together, mutually grooming themselves, or nuzzling. Averagely, a hippopotamus stays submerged for 104 seconds. Your email address will not be published. The hippo has a close-knit family, with the male leader of the herd aggressively defending the babies and the territory as a whole. An adult female hippo gives birth approximately once every two years. Common hippos live in the eastern central region of Africa and below the Sahara Desert. Orcas are extremely fascinating large black and white mammals who rule any body of water they live in. 0 0. As long as the water is deep enough to reach its head, life is good for the hippo. thomas September 30, 2015 Reply. Upon delivery, the mother remains in the water with her baby for days, as she patiently awaits the baby to gain strength before exiting the water, possibly to graze. A common snapping turtle, yes. However, in a 2012 study, researchers measured the bite force … The demonstration was a first for the entire band. These highly acidic compounds inhibit bacteria (reducing disease) and absorb ultraviolet light (helping prevent sunburn and sun damage). Can you believe they eat up to 150 pounds (68 kg) a night? On land, a hippo can gallop at speeds up to 19mph. When you use our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All this is done automatically (by reflex) without the hippopotamus waking up. Hippos give exceptional nursing to their young ones. A hippo needs plenty of water to accommodate its large size, but it usually doesn’t like water that is too deep or too shallow. Hippos can open their mouth at 180 degrees, with frightening canines that can grow … The teeth are bigger in male hippos compared to females. It's also interesting that their groups are called schools because adults actually do teach their young many important things such how to defend themselves. They donât frequent deep waters either. Most animals won’t attempt to tango with a crocodile, but hippos have been known to kill them if their space is invaded. CRIKEY. If they are in deep water, they will resurface whenever they need to breathe without waking. While experts believe there were once five species of hippos, only two remain today: the pygmy hippo and the common hippo, with the latter being the focus of this article. Better put, the hippoâs jaws rank among the top 5% most powerful jaws among all known herbivores in existence. Female hippos can have babies after they reach sexual maturity which is around five to six years of age. (However, calves are buoyant). Hippos eat on land and poop in the water, providing nutrients to aquatic life. the snapping turtle is wrong. Generally, many mammals struggle to sleep (particularly a deep sleep) underwater. Its bite is about 1100 PSI, which has the power to crush the bones of a giraffe. The lower canines and lower incisors are enlarged, especially in males, and grow continuously. Compare that to a tiger or a lion that only has a force of 1,000 pounds per square inch in their bite. If they are in shallow water, they will rest with their nostrils protruding just above the surface. All Species (Likes, Plants, Meat?). Hippo vs Lion. They can charge without a moment's hesitation and do serious damage. Of course, hippos also use their big mouths as a defense against anything that invades their territory or threatens their calves. Commonly, hippos mate in water. One of the most interesting hippo facts is that this animal secretes a red, oily substance that many have described as “blood sweat.”. This enables a hippo to stay submerged, holding their breath for up to 5 minutes. According to the San Diego Zoo, their vocalizations have been measured at 115 decibels. Hippos make a great deal of noise. Therefore, this sole baby hippo can enjoy all the care of the mother. They are born underwater but must paddle to the surface to take their first breath. If alligators are big and mean, the saltwater crocodile is the head of the world’s … 10. It is stronger and faster than lions. Hippos have a fierce bite force of about 2,000 pounds per square inch (psi). Hippopotamuses are the 3rd largest land mammal, after elephants and rhinos. If a hungry crocodile dares to go after a young, less dangerous hippo, the calf’s mother and all her sisters will come after the crocodile. Librocubicularist. The hippoâs canines are plated with enamel. Just like humans, the hippopotamus has four teeth types. The best places to see hippos in Uganda are these four national parks: Watch this traveler video of a boat ride in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda. Despite its own powerful bite (which it deployed against the hippos to no avail,) this crocodile learned that even it was … Despite their power, zoologists claim that nervousness in combination with territorial nature fuels their ferocious behaviour. Of this number, 28 are molars and premolars typically stationed at the back and sides of its mouth. The biggest … Two male hippos are going to war over territory and mates. 9. This ivory even beats that of the elephant in strength and requires more exertion to carve. These canines and incisors find application in cutting food and biting other animals either in self-defense or the hippo being an aggressor, charging at other animals. Juvenile crocodiles sometimes fall victim to carnivores such as leopards, jaguars, otters, and pythons. 23. What more, the nostrils of the hippo can momentarily close when they are underwater. Given that hippos feed more on vegetation, people generally mistake hippos for gentle and amorous animals. To attract a female hippo, a male would fling its dung far and make distinct vocalizations. The baby hippo can suckle underwater too. Dog (325 pounds per square inch) Dogs may be man's best friend, but they're not to be messed with when on the attack. The bite force of an adult female hippo has been measured as 8,100 newtons (1,800 lbf). More than this, hippos can venture into land searching for food and attack humans and animals they come across. There have been cases where herds were as large as 200 hippos. The canines can grow to a length of 50 cm, while the incisors can grow up to 40 cm. Another of several astonishing hippo facts is that these beasts can chomp down with a brutal force of about 2,000 pounds per square inch. You may have heard about Orcas attacking other animals and even occasionally humans â so you... How Strong Is A Grizzly Bear? The "winners"— saltwater … It appears that the males continue to grow all their lives, which accounts for their massive size. But that … To understand how powerful of a bite that truly is, compare it to the human bite force of 200 pounds per square inch. They are also hunted and killed for their meat and ivory tusks and teeth which sell for big bucks on the black market. Hippos are herbivores, eating grass and occasionally some vegetables and fruits. Nonetheless, the whole pack must submit to the sole authority of one dominant male. Female hippos mate just once annually. Your email address will not be published. There is an ongoing debate about who would win in a rhino-versus-hippo battle. 34. Mother hippos tend to nurse their babies for a minimum of 8 months. 12 Best Binoculars for the Money [Buyers Guide], Complete African Safari Packing List [Checklist and Guide], 16 Best Anti-theft Backpacks, Purses, Wallets, and Locks [Buyers Guide], How to Choose the Best Portable Water Filter / Purifier [Buyers Guide], 11 Best Sun Protection Hats: Travelers Guide for Men, Women, Children, 5 Ways to Remove a Tick Head That Broke Off (Humans, Dogs, Cats), How Strong is a Gorilla? Common hippos live in sub-Saharan Africa in areas of abundant water, mud, and grass. Tech. The mother hippo can nurse its baby underwater for even 32 weeks at a stretch. Hippos live partly in water and partly on land. So, you won't be able to outswim them! Consequently, a pregnant hippo can only give birth to one baby hippo at once. Even though humans are killed more by hippos than any other animal in Africa, hippos are not likely to eat a human because they are herbivores. Here are a couple other hippopotamus facts about their teeth that you may find interesting: How's your Swahili? To understand how powerful of a bite that truly is, compare it to the human bite force of 200 pounds per square inch. The hippoâs aggression hits a peak during the dry season. Hippos are social and usually hang out together in groups of 10 to 30 individuals, but some groups may include up to 200 members. Even National Geographic got this wrong back in 2013, posting this on Facebook: “Friday Fact: A hippo's milk is bright pink”. For example, the hippo dung fertilizes water plants, and some fish directly eat the hippo dung while other fish eat insects that have previously fed off it. Experts believe hippos that eat meat are nutrient-deficient, sick or distressed. Now all you need to do is plan a Ugandan safari to see these animals in person. But within its clan, the hippo is a pretty social animal, preferring to live in herds. From where they live to why their mouths are so big, here are 57 hippo facts. The dominant male marks its packâs territory by flinging its dung into the farthest distances possible, leveraging its tail shaped like a fan. And if you are wondering, humans only have a bite force of approximately 200 pounds per square inch. Similar to tigers, lions use their teeth and claws to take down prey. Hippopotamuses (or hippos), may look like cute, comical giants, but they are among the world’s most dangerous animals. A hippo can chomp down on branches and leaves with a force of about 2,000 pounds per square inch, enough to cleave a luckless tourist in half (which occasionally happens during unsupervised safaris). Hippos may look lazy and sluggish, but don’t be deceived. When they move in water, they move in leaps (as typical of porpoise) from the bottom. The aggression of hippos isnât exclusively directed at other animals. Blood sweat is made up of two secretions: one red (hipposudoric acid) and one orange (norhipposudoric acid). Thanks to their sharpness, the incisors and the canines donât actively partake in feeding duties (like grinding and chewing) but are majorly deployed in fighting. At sundown, they come out of the water and munch on grass. John Kukan, U.S. Air Forces Central Band Starlifter guitarist, takes a bite from military working dog Robby during a show of force demonstration by the 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Aug. 18, 2014, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. The incisors can reach 40 … Nile Crocodile – Bite Force : 5000 psi. The hippo is also known for its thick, hairless hide, huge gaping mouth and ivory teeth. The hippo can open its mouth as much as 180 degrees. At 1050 pounds per square inch (psi), the bite force of a … The gestation period for a female hippo is eight months. Except these guys can weigh up to 3 tons each. It lacks agility, as earlier said, but it can steadily ascend steep banks. Guide to Giraffe Species: How Many Types of Giraffes Are There? They also make a deep, scary laughing sound that is really a warning signal. Storyteller.travel shares the best travel insights, facts, and photos. Hippos can give birth in either water or land, depending on the prevailing circumstances. Typically, after 2 weeks of birth, the mother introduces the young hippo to her herd. They are actually herbivores, but aggressive and territorial by nature. And I'm a co-founder of this site. Hippos have big mouths to eat the whopping amount of food they need for their big bodies. ya and the lion has 600 PSI. How long can a hippo hold it's breath underwater? In male hippos, the lower incisors â just like the lower canines â are elaborated.