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Hippopotamus amphibius


Hippopotamus amphibius
Photo Information
Copyright: Ricardo Kuehn (ryyck) Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 24 W: 0 N: 176] (994)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon A60
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2005-09-29 9:58
Viewed: 1947
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hippopotamus amphibius
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Hippopotamidae
Genus: Hippopotamus
Species: amphibius

The Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) is a large, plant-eating African mammal, one of only two living and three (or four) recently extinct species in the family Hippopotamidae.

Hippopotamuses, also called hippos, are gregarious, living in groups of up to 40 animals. They spend most of the day up to their nostrils in the waters of tropical rivers, as they are highly susceptible to sunburn. For additional protection from the sun their skin secretes a natural sunscreen substance which is red colored. This secretion is sometimes referred to as "blood sweat," but it is not actually blood. Hippos can close their nostrils and remain completely submerged for more than ten minutes. Eyes, ears, and nostrils are placed high on the roof of the skull. They are buoyant and very skilled and graceful in water, but cannot swim. They are too dense to even float. They bounce from the ground in water and can remain underwater for up to 10 minutes. They feed on land mostly at night, consuming as much as 50 kg (110 lb) of vegetation a day. Hippos are territorial; a male hippo often marks his territory along a riverbank from which to draw in a harem of females while defending it against other males. Male hippos challenge one another with threatening gapes.

Despite the popular image of the animal being easygoing and peaceful, the hippopotamus is actually one of the most dangerous animals in Africa, and is said to account for more human deaths than any other African mammal. This is not because they are more aggressive than other African mammals but rather because they are highly territorial and their space often conflicts with that of farmers and tourists. In other words, the hippos are protecting their own territory and do not hunt humans. Its canine teeth are 50 cm (20 inches) long, and it uses its head as a battering ram, especially against rival males fighting over territory. The animals are 1.5 metres (5 ft) tall at the shoulder and weigh 1,500 kg up to 3,200 kg (3300 up to 7040 lb). They are approximately the same size as the White Rhinoceros and one or the other is the next-largest land animal after the species of elephants. While it is accepted that a hippo can run faster than a human on land, there are various estimates of its actual running speed. Some web-sites claim 18 mph (30 km/h), while others record 40 km/h (25 mph) or even 48 km/h (30 mph). The higher values probably refer to short bursts. They can move at 8 km/h in water.

Source: http://www.answers.com/Hippopotamus%20amphibius
thistle, lglandon, TAZ, wallhalla15 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3067 W: 231 N: 6160] (21052)
  • [2005-09-29 10:55]

That is an absolutely fantastic POV, Ricardo. What a view!
Super sharp details and excellent exposure.
Well done and TFS : )

Hi Ricardo!
I still don't have enough time to write a decent comment ;) but the big smiley is, no doubt, well deserved here :)

//It's exceptional shot with perfect details and framing. You've captured superb scene here. I like it very much//

But ... where is the dentist!
Very nice shot Ricardo, sharp!
TFS, Laurent

Wondeful Picture!
The cadre and composition are very well .This datils is a very nice.
Well done .Thanks

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2241 W: 47 N: 3167] (10926)
  • [2005-09-29 13:42]

Wooooow ! What an unusual portrait with a strong impact ! What did you said to him, he seems angry ;-) Congratulations and thanks for sharing Ricardo.

Ricardo,pose is excellent, good work. Very good sharpness, details, colours and composition. Thanks for sharing.

Color pink never looked that bad... Just kidding... Great yawn, so well captured !

  • Great 
  • olger Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 65 W: 0 N: 138] (744)
  • [2005-09-29 16:47]

This is just a GREAT shot.. I have done an Hippo aswel with its mouth wide open, but this is much better!! PERFECT! The colours are just superb.. Well done!

  • Great 
  • Toni Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 403 W: 2 N: 316] (2034)
  • [2005-09-29 17:00]

Ugh !
Brilliantly captured. Interesting to see all the different things stuck in his mouth. Great light.
Toni

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1575 W: 5 N: 2181] (12250)
  • [2005-09-29 21:39]

Belle présentation, impressionnante prise de vue sur cette énorme gueule.

Bravo !

  • Great 
  • Libor Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 176 W: 1 N: 25] (1101)
  • [2005-09-30 6:23]

Wauuuuuuu
very nice photo :o)
good timeing :o) nice colors

Certainly not your everyday shot. Very nicely ceazed!
Your timing is impressive. I think I might have forgotten about the camera in a moment like this.
Well done!

Magnifica. Timing perfeito. Boas cores e definiçao.

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