The Hippopotamus: Endangered Species Report

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Trade in Endangered Species in Florida,
for a ban on hippo poaching. But they say they're a long way from putting an
end to the slaughter." (Howard & Koehl)

The hippopotamus is an enormous amphibious animal with smooth, hairless skin.
Hippos can be found in Liberia, the Ivory Coast, and a few can also be found in
Sierra Leone and Guinea. Hippos used to be found anywhere south of the Sahara
Desert where they could find enough water and plenty of room to graze. Now, due
to poachers and predation they are confined to protected areas, but they can
still sometimes be seen in many major rivers and swamps.

Hippos need water that is deep enough to cover them, but it also has to be very
close to a pasture. They must wallow in the water because their thin, hairless
skin is vulnerable to overheating and dehydration. Hippos were once thought to
sweat blood. Actually, hippos secrete a pinkish colored oil that helps them
keep their skin moist in the hot African climate.

Hippos are ...

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