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Hippo Fun Facts

Did you know the following facts about hippos?:

The name HIPPOPOTAMUS literally means "River Horse" from the Greek terms hippos - horse and potamus - river... but there is very little horse-like about the animal.
Despite their intimidating size and teeth, hippos are herbivores. They spend a greater part of the night grazing. During the day, they rest by gently wallowing in the river and sometimes sleeping in the water with their head on a rock.
Groups of hippos are referred to as "schools."
Each school consists of a group of females and bachelors under the control of a territorial bull that is easily recognised from its confident and aggressive behaviour.
Despite its enormous size and disproportionately short legs, the hippo can run at fast speed on land. It would be futile for a human to try to outpace one that was in an aggressive mood.
Though they spend a lot of time in water, hippos are rather bad swimmers. When in deep water they progress by a series of porpoise-like leaps off the bottom in a curiously graceful manner reminiscent of an overweight ballet dancer filmed in slow motion.
Hippos follow regular paths to graze, and over time distinct trails are formed. These paths may be so eroded by generations of hippo feet that they become almost like trenches.