The scientific name for a hippopotamus is hippopotamus amphibius. Hippos are very large standing at 4.5 feet, 11 feet long and weighing 3,000 to 7,000 pounds. Hippos sweat out a thick red oil that protects skin and shields it from sunburn. They can stay under water for 3 to 5 minutes which helps keep their skin from dehydrating. The hearing, sight and smell of a hippo are excellent. They are on land for only at night 5 to 6 hours for grazing. Hippos spend their days in the water to stay away from predators and to keep cool. They like to grass. Hippos come from Africa where they stay in waterways during the day and are on grasslands at night.
