Picture a creature that chows down on grass yet bulks up to over three tons—this is the hippopotamus, earth’s second-heaviest land mammal. Native to Africa’s waterways but viewable at Patna Zoo, hippos captivate with their semi-aquatic lifestyle and uncanny adaptations.
Far from equine kin, these artiodactyls share ancestry with swine. Groups cluster along riverbanks, their 14-foot frames towering on short, powerful limbs. Elevated sensory organs ensure they see, hear, and breathe while submerged, with automatic seals for deeper dives.
Nocturnal feeders, they devour vast grass quantities under cover of night, clocking impressive speeds when needed. Their rugged epidermis, historically prized for polishing gems, exudes a pinkish sweat that acts as sunscreen and antibiotic.
Conservation status alarms experts. Common hippos face vulnerability from shrinking wetlands and poaching demands for ivory-like teeth and hides. Pygmy variants teeter on extinction’s edge due to forest clearance. IUCN specialists urge targeted efforts: safeguarding rivers for commons, preserving forests for pygmies.
Hippos aren’t just spectacles; they sculpt ecosystems. By grazing aquatic plants, they prevent overgrowth, oxygenate waters, and create nutrient-rich paths for marine life. Protecting them safeguards entire riverine balances, underscoring nature’s interconnected web.