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| Hippopotamuses, otherwise called hippopotamus amphibious, are large, plant-eating African mammals which are part of the Hippopotamidae family. They have blue-gray, barrel-shaped bodies with a pink belly. They have a hairless body except for small amounts of bristles on their tail and lip. Their heads are extremely large compared to their stumpy legs. In order to submerge the majority of their body in the water, preventing sunburn, hippo’s eyes, ears, and nostrils are placed on the roof of their skull. Inside the hippo’s enormous mouth are long, pointed teeth. Hippos average 12 ft long and 5 ft tall and can weigh up to 8,000 pounds. The lifespan of a hippo ranges from 40 to 50 years. They are approximately similar in size to the White Rhinoceros, but are considered tied with the White Rhinoceros for the next largest land animal after an elephant. |