Hippopotamus are from Africa in Early Miocene and migrated to Europe and Asia in the late Miocene. This animal can live in two habitat, most of the land-activities are in the noon, while the afternoon is used for staying in the water or mud. There are two kinds of Hippopotamus, Hexaprotodonsivalensisand Hippopotamus.
Hexaprodoton are known as pygmy hippo. The maximum length is less than 2 meters, and the height is 1 meter. The weight is about 160-272 kg. The hippo life span reachs 42 years old. The habitats are usually rivers or swamps in tropical forests. The main foods are water plants, grass, leaves and fallen vegetables. Contrast to Hippopotamus, Hexaprotodon lives in solitaire. They are more active in the night. In additional to the pygmy size, there are other different characteristics compares to Hippopotamus, which are, the longer neck of Hexaprotodon, the smaller head, the position of eyes which is in the side of the head and are not protruding, the separated toes and
have sharp nails. They only has single incisors in mandible, compare to Hippopotamus that have 2 or 3 incisors in mandible.
Hippopotamus is herbivorous mammal characterized by big size, enormous mouths and teeth, four short and fat legs, and great sized body. The canine and incisors are horn-like, where the canine is bigger than the incisors. The teeth grow all the time. The adult reach 1,5 to 3 tons weight. Despites its stocky and fat legs, the hippo can run fast. Hippos use the tips of their toes, usually hoofed, so they are included in unguligrade animals. They live in and near rivers or mud to keep their bodies cool. Water horse or hippos live in a group and controlling certain areas. They live, reproduction, and birth in water. At the afternoon and night, they come out of water and eat grass. (Pipit Puji Lestari, Marlia Yulianti Rosyidah, Febri Wijanarko, Iwan SB) Plese click here
