Dive into the world of the hippopotamus, an animal whose name literally translates from ancient Greek to "river horse." Discover how these massive herbivores, weighing over 3,300 pounds (1,500 kg), are deceptively agile and can outrun a human at speeds up to 19 miles per hour (30 km/h), making them one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. Learn about their unique semi-aquatic lifestyle, spending days in the water to protect their sensitive skin and venturing out at night to consume around 80 pounds (36 kg) of grass. Their nightly grazing creates distinct "hippo lawns" and plays a vital role in transferring nutrients between land and water ecosystems.

Explore the surprising science behind the hippo's family tree, revealing that their closest living relatives are not pigs or elephants, but cetaceans like whales and dolphins, with whom they share a common ancestor from over 55 million years ago. Uncover their complex communication methods, which allow them to send calls through both air and water simultaneously. Finally learn the reason behind one of their most peculiar behaviors, the "dung showering" ritual used by males to mark territory.

Related episode: Fun Facts About Whales

Want to learn about other amazing animals? Check out my Spotify playlist, Fun Facts About Animals

Head over to my website www.funfactsdailypod.com and be sure to listen to my other podcasts Who ARTed: Weekly Art History for All Ages or Art Smart. For family fun, check out my son's podcast Rainbow Puppy Science Lab

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