Page 226 - (DK) I Can’t Believe It! 2

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How big is

a hippo’s

mouth?

A hippopotamus has a very big

mouth, which can open to almost
180 degrees. This creates an
enormous gape of 4 ft (1.2 m).

The name “hippopotamus” means “water
horse,” and most of this animal’s time is spent
in Africa’s rivers and water holes. Its eyes
have a protective membrane, which allows
it to see underwater, and it can stay submerged
without breathing for at least five minutes.

DISPLAY OF AGGRESSION

The jaw can
open so wide
because the
jaw hinge is
set far back in
the head.
Hippos are the most dangerous large animal
in Africa, killing 300 people a year. An open
mouth is a sign of aggression, displaying
canine teeth (tusks) up to 19 in (50 cm) long.

US_224-225_309600_Hippo.indd 224 20/12/17 5:31 pm