Page 20 - An Anthology of Intriguing Animals (DK)
P. 20
Hippopotamus
M uddy puddles are the place to be if you’re a common
hippopotamus. It’s the best way for this giant to keep cool in
the scorching sun. The name hippopotamus comes from an Ancient
Greek word that means “river horse,” but this water-loving mammal is
more closely related to whales and dolphins than horses.
Common hippos are quite bad-tempered. If you
disturb one, it yawns to show off its tusklike front
teeth as a warning. If you really annoy it, it will
charge. It may be a vegetarian, but this is one of
Africa’s most dangerous animals! In the cool of the
night, hippos leave the water to munch grass, moving
around like herds of giant lawn mowers.
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