Hippopotamus

The hippopotamus, or hippo, is a large, semi-aquatic mammal native to Africa. It has a massive body covered in thick skin, short legs, and a large head with prominent teeth. Hippos spend much of their time submerged in rivers and lakes to stay cool, only coming ashore at dusk to graze on grass. They are social animals, living in groups called pods. Despite their bulky appearance, hippos are surprisingly agile in water and can pose a danger to humans if threatened. They play an important role in their ecosystem by shaping the aquatic environment.