Over the centuries, native African tribes have traditionally eaten hippos, but few animals are ever willing to take on a hippopotamus for supper. 2. 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 an adult female hippo has been measured as 8,100 newtons (1,800 lbf). They can only hold their breath for about 40 seconds at a time. Sgt. Juvenile crocodiles sometimes fall victim to carnivores such as leopards, jaguars, otters, and pythons. When they move in water, they move in leaps (as typical of porpoise) from the bottom. They are enormous creatures that can crush you in a heartbeat or drown you by overturning your boat. What is the habitat of the common hippo? Saltwater crocodile. In theory, when the hipposudoric acid (red) mixes with the milk (white), it produces a pink solution. Common hippos live in the eastern central region of Africa and below the Sahara Desert. Hippo teeth sharpen themselves as they grind together. However, spotted hyenas, lions, and crocodiles are known to eat young hippos if they can steal them without getting mauled by the mother hippos. Hippos are very territorial and are quick to classify any intruder as a threat, which it energetically attacks with its incisive tusks and large teeth. Specifically, among all land animals, hippos have the largest teeth. Hippos make a great deal of noise. Today, their overall population is limited to Africa, with their numbers estimated between 125,000 and 148,000. A human with a gun can kill a hippo, and a pack of lions can take down a hippo with hard teamwork. Twins are rare. 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. In addition to these hippo facts, did you know that George Washington (the first US president) wore false teeth made from hippopotamus ivory? Newborn hippos don’t weigh more than 14lbs. A tusk clash is somewhat similar to a pair of deer locking antlers. Others claim the hippo has more advantages that include its enormous mouth that can dole out lethal damage. Being highly territorial and aggressive, it has been known to knock over small boats and attack the crew. This allows the hippo to keep its face above water while the rest of its body is submerged. The dominant male marks its pack’s territory by flinging its dung into the farthest distances possible, leveraging its tail shaped like a fan. Frightening, isn’t it? Thanks to their sharpness, the incisors and the canines don’t actively partake in feeding duties (like grinding and chewing) but are majorly deployed in fighting. Predominantly, hippos are herbivores, but in rare scenarios, they could also scavenge for meat. Hippos can't swim. The American hunter and author, Peter Hathaway Capstick, describes it like this: “It is my personal opinion that hippo meat is one of the finest of game foods … The taste is mild, less than lamb and more than beef, slightly more marbled than usual venison. Compare that to a tiger or a lion that only has a force of 1,000 pounds per square inch in their bite. And I'm a co-founder of this site. The canines can grow to a length of 50 cm, while the incisors can grow up to 40 cm. On land, they can outrun a human. Hippos have a fierce bite force of about 2,000 pounds per square inch (psi). 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. This is crucial as a baby hippo can’t hold its breath for more than 40 seconds at a given time. When they are ready to return to the surface, they kick their hind legs to push off from the bottom and propel themselves upward. Their canine teeth are somewhat tusk-like. Your email address will not be published. Habitat loss and unregulated poaching and hunting are the top reasons why hippo numbers are declining. Source(s): https://owly.im/a8IDw. Typically, after 2 weeks of birth, the mother introduces the young hippo to her herd. The "winners"— saltwater … However, they can move underwater at a speed of 15 mph (8 km/h). This means that in one bite, the hippo could crush a well-matured watermelon in a bite like it was some small grapes. Can you eat a hippopotamus? Within the water, the mother plays a similar protective role in protecting the baby from aquatic predators like crocs. 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. 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. Where can I see hippos in Uganda? 34. They are born underwater but must paddle to the surface to take their first breath. Hippos rarely carry their babies in their mouths. 50. The hippo’s closest cousins are cows and whales. Generally, many mammals struggle to sleep (particularly a deep sleep) underwater. But we’re talking about all the animals in the world so let’s go through the list. The hippo’s canines are plated with enamel. To put their size in an even better perspective, an adult hippo is about the size of your average car. Hippos just may be the most dangerous land mammals in the world. Why do male hippos attack baby hippos? Blood sweat is made up of two secretions: one red (hipposudoric acid) and one orange (norhipposudoric acid). There is an ongoing debate about who would win in a rhino-versus-hippo battle. The ivory from hippo tusks is softer than ivory from elephant tusks. Birds? 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. This enables a hippo to stay submerged, holding their breath for up to 5 minutes. Hippos are social and usually hang out together in groups of 10 to 30 individuals, but some groups may include up to 200 members. The lower canines and lower incisors are enlarged, especially in males, and grow continuously. Being territorially aggressive, it is highly unlikely for the hippo to build a congenial or even symbiotic relationship with other animals. But there is actually no evidence to suggest that this ever happens. 35. Tech. Some hippos may have up to 40 teeth because they can retain their milk teeth for several years after reaching adulthood. 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. We take our roles as parents, kids, citizens in our society. 12. 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. Here are some newborn hippopotamus facts: Most hippos only have one baby at a time. People do eat hippo meat even though the sale of it is illegal. Yes, hippos do roar. They just want you to think that! In 2014, a hippo charged and attacked a school boat in Niger, causing it to capsize and kill 13 people – a teacher and 12 students. Entertaining, but be sure to keep your distance. The hippo boasts a force of 2000 psi in its bite. Hippopotamuses are the 3rd largest land mammal, after elephants and rhinos. Adult hippos can stay underwater for up to five minutes at a time. Hippos can open their mouth at 180 degrees, with frightening canines that can grow … Required fields are marked *. It lacks agility, as earlier said, but it can steadily ascend steep banks. Housecat. Need I mention that the bite force of an adult female hippo is 1,821 lbsf (Barr, 2008)? 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. Baby hippos are called calves. The hippo is one of the most feared animals in Africa. The common hippo lives in habitats of water and grass such as lakes, rivers, and mangrove swamps. They don’t frequent deep waters either. Some people say a rhino can kill a hippo, but there is much debate about that. For a 2-month calf, they can’t stay underwater for more than 30 seconds. However, in a 2012 study, researchers measured the bite force … The shark bite researchers estimated the megashark's bite to be an "extraordinary" 108,514-182,201N . Hippo Bite Force. Female hippos can have babies after they reach sexual maturity which is around five to six years of age. Just behind elephants and white rhinos, hippos are among the world’s largest land mammals. Despite this capacity to sleep underwater, a hippocampus generally prefers sleeping underwater in areas where the water is shallower. According to the San Diego Zoo, their vocalizations have been measured at 115 decibels. Commonly, hippos mate in water. However, the muscles responsible for opening the mouth are exceptionally weak, allowing a person to easily hold them shut, and even larger crocodiles can be brought under control by the use of duct tape to bind the jaws together. One of the most interesting hippo facts is that this animal secretes a red, oily substance that many have described as “blood sweat.”. More reading: How fast can a crocodile run? Their tusks are twice as long in males, an example of sexual dimorphism. Hippos eat on land and poop in the water, providing nutrients to aquatic life. Characteristically, while the hippo is asleep underwater, it would occasionally bop up, takes a breath, and subsequently submerges again. Hippos may seem like gentle, whimsical animals, but any naturalist will tell you they're every bit as dangerous as lions or wolves: not only can a hippopotamus open its mouth at a 180 degree angle, but it can bite an unwary tourist completely in half with a ferocious force of 2,000 pounds per square inch. They include herds, schools, pods, dales, and bloats. Of this number, 28 are molars and premolars typically stationed at the back and sides of its mouth. We hope these hippopotamus facts have helped you learn more about one of Africa’s most amazing creatures. As you can readily infer from the sexual character of the said dominant male hippo, hippos are polygamous in nature and commonly have multiple sexual partners. A hippo calf will nurse its mother until it’s about 18 months old. It is believed to be the bite of a Nile crocodile is as high as … 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. Such an emotionally consolidated relationship pushes the mother to wholeheartedly defend her calf from predators like crocodiles, hyenas, and even lions – often putting herself sacrificially in harm’s way to protect her young. Hippos live partly in water and partly on land. This ivory even beats that of the elephant in strength and requires more exertion to carve. Each jaw is outfitted with a big pair of incisors. (However, calves are buoyant). Now all you need to do is plan a Ugandan safari to see these animals in person. In male hippos, the lower incisors – just like the lower canines – are elaborated. Ultimately, such hippopotamus will starve to death. This means a hippo could take up a majority of your living room! Paleobiologist Gregory M. Erickson and colleagues put all 23 living crocodilian species through an unprecedented bite test. It tastes exactly like, well, hippo.”. When irritated, hippos can charge on land at 30km/hr. The typical lifespan for a hippo is between 35 and 50 years. What more, the nostrils of the hippo can momentarily close when they are underwater. Adult hippos have been known to kill younger hippos. When a baby hippo is born in water, the mother will propel it up to the water surface to breathe properly. Hippos love eating watermelons. Here are some more amazing hippo facts for you: Surfacing and breathing are automatic for hippos. Whoops! If they are in deep water, they will resurface whenever they need to breathe without waking. Hippos have a natural built-in reflex that causes them to reach for the surface to breathe. orion nelson November 9, 2015 Reply. Baby hippos nurse underwater by closing their nostrils and ears, but they also nurse on land as well. Mother hippos tend to nurse their babies for a minimum of 8 months. To make up for their lack of hair, their hides are exceptionally thick. The bite force exerted by an adult Nile crocodile has been shown by Brady Barr to measure 22 kN (5,000 lbf). Therefore, this sole baby hippo can enjoy all the care of the mother. Average of 1766kg / cm2. On land, a hippo can gallop at speeds up to 19mph. I'm quite interested to know the bite force of a full grown bull Hippo. 4 Places. A hippo is a massive gray creature with a large, round barrel-shaped body and short pudgy legs that each end in four webbed toes. Where do common hippos live in Africa? It’s not known exactly how many hours hippos sleep per day. A fully grown hippo can have anywhere from 38-42 teeth. From where they live to why their mouths are so big, here are 57 hippo facts. The hippo is also known for its thick, hairless hide, huge gaping mouth and ivory teeth. Hippos play an important role in the African ecosystem. Don’t mistake the herbivorous appetite of the hippopotamus for gentility; hippos are aggressive with a penchant for getting into scuffles. The more you learn about these semi-aquatic beasts, the more you will discover several surprising hippopotamus facts. On land, their heavyweight stirs up the soil and clears vegetation around the wetlands. 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. Yo hippo’s SO FAT not even Dora could explore her. The other males are subordinates to it. Their digestive systems are not suited for digesting meat. This is the same with human teeth. It is believed that they rest for short periods of time. They’re a popular bear species known for... We are a website with excellent writers and editors. It makes sense, given the hippo’s highly aggressive nature, intimidating size and the insane bite force those massive bone-crushing jaws produce. Aside from mosquitos and the tsetse fly, hippopotamuses are the most deadly animal in Africa. Silverback Strength vs Humans (Grizzly, Lion, Croc). Consequently, a pregnant hippo can only give birth to one baby hippo at once. 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 nurse their mothers underwater and on land. Of course, hippos also use their big mouths as a defense against anything that invades their territory or threatens their calves. There have been cases where herds were as large as 200 hippos. Is it legal? Common hippos live in sub-Saharan Africa in areas of abundant water, mud, and grass. That’s probably one of the most surprising hippopotamus facts of all. The combatants can weigh two tons; it's a tail-biting clash of the titans. 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. You'll see many Ugandan animals, including hippos, elephants, cape buffalo, marabou stork, and nile crocodiles. Rhinos actually have no natural predators (except for humans of course) due to their power, tough hide, horns, and aggression when provoked. Learn more about me. When they do, there is a high tendency that the mammal could start to drown and consequently choke. Although it is not common, bull hippos do attack and kill hippo calves. Even though hippos live in the water with fish, they don’t eat fish. Except these guys can weigh up to 3 tons each. [38] Like this post? The jaguar has the strongest bite of any big cat relative to its size. For some bull hippos, it’s 180 degrees. It is stronger and faster than lions. PSI denotes a pressure that results when an area of 1 square inch is subjected to a pressure of 1 pound force. The spotted hyena’s scavenging behavior is responsible for the strong jaw as the strong jaw is needed to penetrate to the marrows. And hippos are the most dangerous large mammal worldwide, killing an estimated 500 people per year in Africa. They need to resurface every 3 to 5 minutes to breathe. Hippos have a fierce bite force of about 2,000 pounds per square inch (psi). If alligators are big and mean, the saltwater crocodile is the head of the world’s … This gives them a sort of semi-awareness that keeps them from drowning. 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. Librocubicularist. Sort of. The largest subspecies, the Kodiak bear… No, hippos are not endangered, but they are declared vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The extraordinary bite of crocodilians is explained by … So, you won't be able to outswim them! They also make a deep, scary laughing sound that is really a warning signal. 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. In fact, they have 36 teeth that include one canine, two incisors, three premolars, and three molars on each side of their jaws. Most adult hippos can open their mouths at a 150-degree angle. Most times, when a hippo sleeps in such areas, it lies flat on its belly, not floating nor standing. Family life Share is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The hippopotamus delivers a bite with a whopping bite force of 1, 821 psi. Family life Share aims to share cool knowledge and unique experience about family life, marriage, love, relationships, parenting and life tips. After it is weaned, it will continue to stay nearby its mother for up to seven or eight years until it is fully grown. As long as the water is deep enough to reach its head, life is good for the hippo. Want to know why? 11. 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. Orca Bite Force and 13 Other Facts. CRIKEY. 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. The lower canines, especially, are deployed offensively. Can you believe they eat up to 150 pounds (68 kg) a night? They rest on their mother’s backs when the water is too deep for them. Orcas are extremely fascinating large black and white mammals who rule any body of water they live in. Experts aren’t really sure why, but they believe it happens when herds become overpopulated, their habitat begins to dwindle, or when food is scarce. Within this waiting span, she may not eat for days. We want to provide high-quality content to people who are looking for these topics. Hippos are notably aggressive and are dangerous to interact with closely. Obviously, this is wrong. thomas September 30, 2015 Reply. Bite Force and 14 Other Facts. Hippos give birth underwater where they are the safest, but it's usually in shallow water. Even National Geographic got this wrong back in 2013, posting this on Facebook: “Friday Fact: A hippo's milk is bright pink”. They are actually herbivores, but aggressive and territorial by nature. In the course of the exercise, the female hippopotamus is only partially submerged. At birth, hippo calves can weigh between 55 and 100 pounds (23 and 45.35 kg). Compared to other megafauna, hippos have smaller legs. Hippos may look lazy and sluggish, but don’t be deceived. Hippos are highly aggressive and unpredictable, especially when their calves are present, which is why they are considered so dangerous. They can charge without a moment's hesitation and do serious damage. As if that’s not enough reason to fear, hippos live in large groups, and no crocodile is going to risk being mobbed. This commonly stated “fact” is actually a debunked legend. When you use our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Would you believe a hippopotamus cannot swim? kalley October 21, 2015 Reply. The incisors can reach 40 … 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. The baby hippo can suckle underwater too. Currently, the Africa countries of Zambia and Tanzania are home to the largest hippo populations. 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. Family life Share also participates in affiliate programs with Impact and other sites. Check out our guide to 100+ animal names in Swahili. Of course, hippos have teeth. 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). 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. More than this, hippos can venture into land searching for food and attack humans and animals they come across. Family life Share is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Such a bite can easily crush a watermelon (something a normal human being would need … Another reason is that hippo cows love big bull mouths. Hippos can give birth in either water or land, depending on the prevailing circumstances. 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. Outside its clan, the hippo doesn’t commune with a lot of animals. No matter how small or large a group, all hippo herds are led by a single, dominant bull. To understand how powerful of a bite that truly is, compare it to the human bite force of 200 pounds per square inch. Bite force quotient, however, is derived by dividing the bite force of the animal by its body mass. Underwater, the hippos run along riverbeds, creating channels and redirecting water. The bite force of all the animals mentioned above were calculated in PSI. The demonstration was a first for the entire band. How Strong Is An Orca? They are highly territorial and can attack anything that wanders into their territory, whether that be human or animal. Tusk clashing consists of males locking teeth and wrestling. 14. Hippos are huge, docile mammals. And if you are wondering, humans only have a bite force of approximately 200 pounds per square inch. And we also cover pink hippo milk and poop sprinklers. All this is done automatically (by reflex) without the hippopotamus waking up. Female hippos mate just once annually. Hi, I'm Bryan Haines. That said, the hippo can’t jump. Due to their enormous size, hippos don’t boast the agility of more avid hunters like lions and tigers. The team’s computer modelling of the Komodo bite suggests a relatively weak bite – a maximum bite force of 39 newtons, compared to 252 N for … That's stronger than a bite force of a full grown adult hippo (yes, this thing). The hippopotamus is not an avid swimmer nonetheless, even though it has webbed feet. The remaining teeth are canine tusks and incisors. In this post, you'll learn 57 hippo facts about one of Africa's most dangerous animals. Bite Force and 14 Other Facts. This pack leader reserves the privilege to mate with just any adult female hippo in its pack. They stay in the water with their mother for the first several days until they gain strength. However, a hippo would have a hard time defending itself against a pack of lions. Hippos are herbivores, eating grass and occasionally some vegetables and fruits. A common snapping turtle, yes. This is similar to the wrestling you see in deer when they lock antlers in fights. Just like humans, the hippopotamus has four teeth types. The teeth are bigger in male hippos compared to females. A hippo will starve to death if its molars wear down too much to break down food. At sundown, they come out of the water and munch on grass. Such an enormous bite force comes in handy in sourcing its food and helping the hippopotamus defend itself and space from invaders and predators. Its bite is about 1100 PSI, which has the power to crush the bones of a giraffe. The biggest … The mother hippo withdraws from the pack to give birth. (Baby hippos need to breathe every 2 to 3 minutes.). However, they can only keep up these high speeds for a few hundred meters. But within its clan, the hippo is a pretty social animal, preferring to live in herds. Despite its own powerful bite (which it deployed against the hippos to no avail,) this crocodile learned that even it was … How long does the hippo calf stay with its mother? This is real and it appears to be a male dominance thing – where they are both impressing females and marking their territory. , sick or distressed they stay in the water is too deep for them hippo bite force... Hippos feed more on vegetation, people generally mistake hippos for gentle and amorous animals other facts link! Bite of any big cat relative to its powerful jaws among all known herbivores existence. Highly territorial and can run really fast deep for them rival territories ) with equally increased.... 23 and 45.35 kg ) a night and below the Sahara Desert take up a majority your. Providing nutrients to aquatic life 'll learn about their teeth and wrestling being territorial! 100+ animal names in Swahili up these high speeds for a 2-month calf, they can move underwater a... This number, 28 are molars and premolars typically stationed at the back and sides of its.. Sub-Saharan Africa in areas of abundant water, the hippo’s molars down due to such sustained wear, nutrients... 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Times, we may earn an affiliate commission territorial nature fuels their behaviour! Tons each are going to war over territory and mates more prevalent in male hippos, elephants, buffalo... Mouths at a rock concert the mouth, the bite force of a bite force of 2000 psi its... Strength and requires more exertion to carve milk teeth for several years after reaching adulthood grow... An area of 1 square inch dividing the bite force of an adult female hippo is asleep underwater, lies. The tsetse fly, hippopotamuses are the by Ellis et al or land, heavyweight. Minimum of 8 months say a rhino can kill a hippo with hard teamwork in rare,... Overcrowding ( meaning more chances of hippos straying into rival territories ) with equally increased breeding close they... Among all known herbivores in existence per day keep up these high speeds for a hippo her... Not common, as the strong jaw is outfitted with a brutal force 200... 40 cm the generality of hippos spraying poop everywhere by mixing their runny poo with penchant! The San Diego Zoo, their heavyweight stirs up the soil and clears vegetation around the wetlands areas it..., schools, pods, dales, and premolars a big pair of deer locking.. Roles as parents, kids, citizens in our society reason is that hippo cows love big bull mouths their... Aggressive, it produces a pink solution most deadly animal in Africa to tigers, lions their. Their first breath hipo bite has left many people may see hippos as gentle giants, there. Turtle has the power to crush the bones of a full grown bull hippo a..., kids, citizens in our society by its body is submerged to carnivores such as lakes,,. Have one baby hippo can’t hold its breath for more than this, hippo! A gun can kill a hippo to keep its face above water while the rest of its mouth hippo and... Distinct vocalizations their meat and ivory tusks and teeth which sell for big bucks on the black market submerges.. Water while the hippo bite force can grow up to 5 minutes to breathe that to pressure... 23 and 45.35 kg ) a given time they can break a crocodile ’ s head is large elongated... Species in Africa with its mother until it ’ s most amazing creatures then by... They move in water and then move hippo bite force walking, trotting, jogging or.... Forces of dogs are the safest, but be sure to keep a safe distance from them led. Don’T mistake the herbivorous appetite of the loudest animal species in Africa incisors are enlarged especially., not floating nor standing the eyes, ears, but it can ascend! Be able to outswim them inch is subjected to a pair of incisors open their at...