How can the most adorable creature in Africa be the most destructive animal on the continent simultaneously? It sounds very ironic, but it’s the truth. The baby hippopotamus or hippo is one of the most charming animals in the African wilderness. Yet it also causes more mayhem and chaos than other animals in its habitat. Nevertheless, the baby hippo’s story is truly fascinating, and to understand it, we must look into its humble beginnings.
The evolutionary line of the hippo
The evolutionary line of hippos starts with a creature known as Epirigenys, which roamed the Earth 28 million years ago. Just about the size of a modern sheep or a tenth the size of a modern hippo, Epirigrnys is the ancestor of the baby hippo we know today. Why hippos decided to evolve to their current state is still a mystery, but the accepted theory is that it was for defensive purposes.
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The hippo’s early years
To understand the humble beginnings of this adorably dangerous creature, let us look into the stages of the mama hippo’s pregnancy. After a brief battle (to the death) of two promising male hippos, mama has to bear the baby hippo for around 240 days or eight months. After that, a baby hippo is born underwater or on land, with the mama hippo always close by to guard the baby against danger.
A hippo’s massive size
For an infant baby, hippos are enormous, at around 4 feet and 110 pounds. But even better, they proliferate; a single baby hippo can get ten times the weight in its first year alone. If you are wondering, that is almost half a ton of muscles. The maximum size of an adult hippo is around 16 feet, and 9,000 pounds, making them one of the largest mammals on Earth.
The developing years
Baby hippos are born helpless; they don’t have the iconic tusk in their jaws at birth. They can only suckle milk for nourishment and rely on mama hippo for protection. As they bulk up in size, however, they start showing the prominent features hippos are always known for. They become mature enough to compete for mates at age four or five.
Maybe one of the most feared parts of a baby hippo’s arsenal is its unusually developed tusks. The hippo is the only known herbivore with a complete set of canine and incisor teeth. Of course, hippos don’t use them for eating, but their presence alone can put the fiercest predators on alert. By the way, their jaws have the strongest crushing force in the entire animal kingdom.
The hippo’s dangerous reputation
Consider this if you are still unconvinced about how facing a hippo would be hazardous to your health. Baby hippos’ adult form is 16 feet and almost 4 tons in weight, but they can run around 30 km per hour. Unfortunately, Hippos also tend to run into the water at the first sign of danger, ruthlessly trampling everything in their path. For humans who get in their way, it’s usually a bad sign.
A cultural icon
The destructive capacity of baby hippos has been recorded since time immemorial. The Egyptians were the first to acknowledge that baby hippos are not as cute as they look. Also, the Israelites often depict the hippopotamus as a monster in their mythology and folklore. Nonetheless, they also occasionally hunt hippos for food, associating them with healing and protection.
A hippo also needs love
For all its dangerous traits, a baby hippo is still an essential part of its habitat. They play an important role in the ecology of Africa, and their absence may negatively affect the environment. Hippos are also necessary to African culture and have been featured in many stories, songs, and artwork.
The role of hippos in African culture
Hippos have been an essential part of African culture for centuries. They are often featured in stories, songs, and artwork, symbolizing strength, power, and protection. Some cultures even see them as a symbol of fertility and abundance.
Despite their destructive capacity, baby hippos are still essential to their habitat. They play an important role in the ecology of Africa, and their absence may negatively affect the environment. As such, protecting and conserving baby hippos and their habitats is essential.
Conclusion
The story of the baby hippo is genuinely fascinating. From its humble beginnings to its massive size and destructive capacity, the baby hippo is an integral part of the African wilderness. Despite their dangerous traits, baby hippos remain essential to their habitat and African culture. So show a baby hippo some love and respect in its effort to preserve its species for 28 million years.
