Microhabitats

非洲中、東、南部

Reproductive Periodicity

五歲性成熟，每年二月及八月為繁殖期，懷孕期約8個月。每胎產一仔，體重27~50公斤，小河馬出生5分鐘後即可游泳及行走。

Characteristics and Habits

河馬分布於非洲中南部，是群居性動物，也是組織嚴密的母性社會。白天大多泡在水裡，潛水約4~5分鐘會浮出水面換氣。長相可愛但性格暴躁且攻擊性強，體重平均約1500公斤，跑步時速可達40公里，是非洲最危險的動物之一。 河馬沒有汗腺，上岸時會分泌紅色黏液來保護皮膚過於乾燥。牠們會邊走路邊排下大小便，然後用尾巴把糞便撥向四周來標示路徑及領域。 With cute looking, hippopotamus is actually one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. It has a bad temper and strong offensive, so do not get too close to them. It spends most of a day in the water and come out for food during the night. Without sweat glands, it secrete a red mucus to prevent the skin from getting too dry while ashore.