Huge
and Hairless: Weighing in at 4.5 tons the hippopotamus is one of the
largest quadrupeds on earth. Its body is thick and the skin is
bluish-black with brick-red markings. Except for a few sparse hairs
along its thin tail, the hippo is nearly hairless.
Aquatic
Adaptations: The feet are hoofed with membranes stretching between each
of its four toes, enabling the hippo to move in water. The fat beneath
the skin also is an adaptation to its watery environment, making this
large animal buoyant enough to easily float along streams and swamps.
Natural
Bug Repellant: The hippopotamus possesses modified sweat glands that
secrete a reddish, moist substance that makes an excellent sunblock and
provides protection against insect bites, particularly mosquitoes, which
are the nemesis of all pachyderms.
No comments:
Post a Comment