Coastin Carl
π¦ World HIPPO Day ORIGIN & HISTORY
World HIPPO Day is celebrated on the 15th Day in February. The hippo lives up to 50 years south of the Sahara desert in rivers, lakes, and swamps. People all over the world are fighting against the hippo extinction and zoos are trying to keep the massive animal alive. The Cincinnati Zoo recently celebrated the new addition of Fiona the Hippopotamus. On World HIPPO Day, letβs recognize these animals and hope they can be with us for many more years in the future.
HIPPO Facts & Figures
In the wild, hippos are led by a chief male who keeps control of his group by fighting off other aggressors looking to take charge of the territory. Hippos live in hot tropical areas. They spend most of their time submerged in the water to keep cool while their eyes, ears, and nose protrude out the top. This allows the animal the ability to hear, see, and breathe.
Though complete water lovers, they are VERY bad at swimming and like to walk along the bottom of the water and push off with their feet. Hippos eat a lot of grass to fuel their massive bodies! During the night, foraging becomes the main activity by eating up to 150 pounds (68 kilograms) of short grasses as their primary food supply. Typically they cover five miles in a single night. Hippopotamuses are typically not fast but in short bursts can run up to 30 mph (48 km/h).
Donβt mess around with Jim the HIPPO
Adult hippos donβt get messed with because theyβre one of the most ferocious animals on the planet. Itβs rare but it would take an entire pack of lions to take down a single male hippo. Hippos once lived throughout all of Africa but today they’re scarce. Hippo homes are threatened by farms, cities, and roads, not to mention their meat, fat, ivory, and teeth are in high illicit demand. Wildlife preserves and fencing help protect this animal from extinction.
Evolutionary ORIGINS
Hippos belong to the family Hippopotamidae, which includes two species: the common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) and the pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis or Hexaprotodon liberiensis). They’re believed to have diverged from a common ancestor with whales and other cetaceans around 55 million years ago.
Hippos used to be much larger animals in fact. They lived sometime between 500,000-780,000 years ago during the time referred to as the Middle Pleistocene Epoch in Britannia. At that time Englandβs climate was much different and similar to the African savannah. Hippos back then were around 6 tons comparatively to 4 tons in the present day and 14 feet (4 meters) in length. Ancient hippos had large prominent eyes that served as periscopes. Hippo eyes today are small and sit above their large muzzles.
ANCIENT Habitats
Hippopotamuses were found along the Nile River in ancient Egypt. Hippos are aggressive, have large teeth, and are the third-largest mammal on land. The Egyptians felt intimidated by their size & hostile behavior and assigned them to be symbolic of rejuvenation and rebirth notably being creatures who remained in the same fertile mud location year after year.
Hippos have a significant presence in ancient Egyptian culture and mythology. They were often depicted in hieroglyphs and art, symbolizing fertility and protection. They even associated hippos with the goddess Taweret, who was believed to protect women during childbirth.
Hunting and Conservation
Male hippos are referred to as bulls and are angry in nature; coming up on one would be daunting. Hippos tended to graze on wheat, overturn boats and were known for hurting and killing people. As a result of their destructive disposition, it didnβt take long for them to be hunted and killed. Hippos that once lived in the southern part of the Nile are now extinct.
Throughout history, hippos have always been hunted for their meat, ivory-like teeth, and hides. They were particularly targeted during the colonial era for sport hunting and to control populations perceived as threats to agriculture and human settlements. However, increased conservation efforts have been implemented to protect hippo populations and their habitats.
Today, hippos face threats from habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. Both the common hippopotamus and the pygmy hippopotamus are listed as vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
ECOLOGICAL Importance
Despite their formidable appearance, hippos play a crucial role in their ecosystems as “ecosystem engineers.” Their grazing habits help maintain the balance of plant communities along riverbanks and in wetlands, and their dung contributes nutrients to the water, benefiting aquatic organisms.
In the 20th century, there were attempts to bring hippos to the United States. The American Hippo Bill of 1910 was debated in Congress as a means to use the hippopotamus to control a plant species from taking over bayous in Louisiana and to help solve the meat crisis of the time. The bill failed by one vote and so hippos remained in Africa.
π HOW to Celebrate & Observe World HIPPO Day?
Not sure how to LOVE the day? We’ve got a few interesting ideas to consider that may help get you started.
Here are some activities that you can do on World HIPPO Day!
π SEE a Hippo in action
Many zoos have hippopotamus habitats. Better yet when travel constraints settle down, why not charter a trip of a lifetime by booking an African safari to see them in the wild? There are many different preserves in multiple countries that cater to safari tourism within Africa.
Organize outdoor excursions to wildlife reserves or national parks where hippos can be observed in their natural habitats. Guided nature walks, boat safaris or eco-tours provide opportunities to learn about hippo behavior while appreciating the beauty of their surroundings.
π WATCH Hippo documentary screenings
Host screenings of wildlife documentaries or films that feature hippos and their conservation challenges. Follow up the screenings with discussions on the importance of preserving hippo habitats and the role individuals can play in conservation efforts.
π Hippo ADOPTION Programs
Support hippopotamus conservation efforts by participating in hippo adoption programs offered by reputable wildlife organizations. By symbolically adopting a hippo, you contribute to their care and habitat protection while receiving updates on their well-being and conservation progress.
π Get INVOLVED if you’re Passionate
Sure if you feel really strongly about hippos, numerous organizations, foundations, and conservation societies would embrace you with open arms. Assistance, help, spreading the word, or even monetary donations we’re sure would be welcomed.
π RAISE Social Awareness
Use social media posts with the hashtags #WorldHippoDay, #Hippopotamus, #Hippos, #Africa, #AnimalHolidays, #FebruaryHolidays, #Holiday, #FindADayToLOVE, #iHEARTdays to support the importance of celebrating, promoting, and sharing with the world why you β€οΈ World HIPPO Day.
LEARN more about HIPPOS
ALL ABOUT HIPPOPOTAMUSES FOR KIDS
BABY PENELOPE AT THE TORONTO ZOO
I WANT A HIPPOPOTAMUS FOR CHRISTMAS
THIRTEEN Fun Facts you never knew about World HIPPO Day
- They have a membrane over their eyes for protection underwater like a built-in set of goggles similar to a crocodile or alligator.
- When out in the sun, hippos secrete a type of reddish-orange oil sunscreen that protects their almost 2-inch thick skin from harmful UV rays & bacteria.
- Hippos are nocturnal, they sleep during the day and venture out to feed when it’s cooler.
- The name for Hippo comes from the Ancient Greek word αΌ±ΟΟΞΏΟΟΟΞ±ΞΌΞΏΟ meaning “river horse”.
- Regarded as one of the most dangerous animals on the African continent, hippos are very territorial and will attack people and boats, or fiercely defend their territory from other hippos.
- A hippopotamus typically holds its breath for 3-5 minutes but can hold its breath for up to 30 minutes.
- Due to their large size, hippos can’t float and aren’t good swimmers so they touch the bottom of the river bed with their feet and peer out up top.
- Female hippos have a calf once every 2-3 years and give birth underwater.
- Hippopotamuses are herbivores with their favorite snacks including an average of 88 lbs of grass, fruits, and even some aquatic plants a day.
- Hippos are a very social species, living in groups of 10 to 100 called pods. They communicate with each other through grunts, honks, and bellows.
- Hippopotamuses are not that fast but have been clocked at about 30 mph when they feel the need … for speed.
- Hippos have huge mouths that can open almost 180 degrees wide.
- They live around 50 years and have a set of 36 teeth with tusks almost 20 inches long
Famous PEOPLE also born on February 15th
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Galileo Galilei
Italian astronomer, physicist, and engineer best known as one of the first to use a refracting telescope as an instrument to monitor stars, planets, and moons. Also called the “Father of Science” as there was no science in the land when he was born and through numerous battles with the Roman Catholic church, science had made a permanent foothold. Born 1564.
GALILEO GALILEI Quote
“You cannot teach a man anything, you can only help him find it within himself.”
-
Cyrus McCormick
American inventor and entrepreneur best known for creating the mechanical harvesting reaper and famous for marketing practices like payment installment plans, free trials, and product guarantees. This made it possible for smaller farms to expand their operations. Often called “The Father of Modern Agriculture”. Born 1809.
CYRUS MCCORMICK Quote
“Trying to do business without advertising is like winking at a pretty girl through a pair of green goggles. You may know what you are doing, but no one else does.”
-
Susan B Anthony
American women’s rights activist and pioneer crusader for the suffrage movement routinely giving as many as 100 speeches a year. The first woman to be portrayed on a coin in circulation by the US Mint. Born 1820.
SUSAN B ANTHONY Quote
“There is not a woman born who desires to eat the bread of dependence.”
Future DATES for World HIPPO Day
| Year | Date | Day of the Week |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | February 15 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | February 15 | Thursday |
| 2025 | February 15 | Saturday |
| 2026 | February 15 | Sunday |
| 2027 | February 15 | Monday |
| 2028 | February 15 | Tuesday |
π¦ Hippopotamus FAQ
WHEN is World HIPPO Day?
- World HIPPO Day is an annual celebration held on February 15th each year.
How MANY Hippos are left in the world?
- At last count, there are somewhere in the neighborhood of between 125,000 to 148,000 common hippos now contained in protected areas due to illegal hunting and revenge killings not to mention the widespread loss of their habitats. The hippopotamus once roamed Africa for millions of years from the Nile River valley to the Cape of Good Hope.
Can Hippos eat HUMANS?
- Hippopotamuses kill approximately 500 people each year across Africa. This makes them the world’s deadliest mammal after humans of course. That’s almost twice as deadly as lions. Of course, hippos are herbivores and rarely bother other animals on the plains.
Are Pablo Escobar’s Hippos STILL alive?
- Drug kingpin Pablo Escobar illegally imported 35 hippopotamuses from Louisiana to his Colombian ranch set up as a private zoo in the 1980s. But the entire pack was set free after his death in 1993 with no natural predators and their descendants have thrived to number around 80. Today the hippos are considered the largest invasive species on earth roaming along the Magdalena river north of BogotΓ‘.
Why we LπVE World HIPPO Day
Hippos are awesome animals. As baby pups, they’re super cute. They may be aggressive but that’s a result of people bothering them. These animals donβt need to be harmed; they need our protection and they need an environment where they can live in harmony without being threatened.
Karen Paolillo is the founder and director of the Turgwe Hippo Trust in Zimbabwe, the first and only non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and protection of hippos. This conservation group was established after a severe drought in the 1990s. The number of hippos in the area went from 2,000 down to 600. Karen worked closely with the animals and learned the nature of these creatures.
- Karen Paolillo (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 219 Pages - 12/24/2024 (Publication Date) - Penguin Books (Publisher)
