The Hippopotamus is one of the most fascinating and unique species in the world. While they may look like an odd combination of a pig and a whale, hippos are actually more closely related to Whales and Dolphins than any other mammal. Surprisingly, many people think hippos have gills because spend most of their time in the water, but that is not the truth. In this article, I am going to give an answer to the „Do Hippos have Gills?” question. Read on
Do Hippos have Gills?
In short, No Hippos don’t have gills and they never did. They are still mammals, but they breathe air just like humans do. A hippo’s lungs are similar to ours in that they have a diaphragm that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. The diaphragm allows them to breathe air into the lungs, which then travels through the windpipe and into their bloodstream via capillaries.
How Do Hippos Breathe in Water?
Although hippos don’t have gills and, have lungs the same way humans do, they can’t breathe underwater. Hippos have special adaptations that allow them to stay submerged for up to five minutes at a time. The hippo’s nostrils are located on the top of their heads, which means they don’t need to come up fast for air when in water.
What Makes Hippos Good in Water?
1. Size:
Since Hippos are so big and don’t live in deep waters. This ensures the Hippos face is above water whenever they are in it.
2. Skin:
Hippos have thick skin, which can help them stay cool when they’re out of the water and protect them from predators.
3. Legs:
Hippos are excellent swimmers because their legs can move them quickly through the water.
4. Nose:
Hippos have nostrils on the top of their heads, which allows them to stay submerged for up to five minutes at a time. The hippo’s nostrils are located on the top of their heads, which means they don’t need to come up fast for air when in water.
How long can Hippos stay Underwater?
Hippos can stay underwater for up to five minutes. They do this by closing their nostrils and holding their breath while they’re submerged. The Hippo has thick skin that keeps them cool when they’re out of the water and protects them from predators like crocodiles when submerged in the water.
How Long Do Hippos Stay in water?
Hippos love water more than land. According to National geographic Hipoppotamus spend 16 hours a day in the water and spend only 6-8 hours on land. When Hippos are born, they are already able to swim and play in the water, even though they cannot walk on the land until they are grown.
Why Do Hippos Prefer Water than Land?
Nathab.com The Hippo skin is sensitive to direct sunlight and it gets burnt easily. The thick skin of a hippo acts like an umbrella and protects them from getting sunburned by the sun. Hippos are herbivores, so they do not need to hunt for food on land. Instead, they eat grasses, sedges and aquatic plants from the riverbanks and shallow waters.
But it is important to note that Hippos do go on land to graze especially at night when the sun has set. Hippos are excellent swimmers and they often submerge themselves in the water to cool off when they get too hot. They also have four very strong legs that can support their huge bodies while they are in the water.
Can a Hippo Survive Out of Water?
Although Hippos are huge and can protect themself from most predators on land. They can’t survive out of the after for long because of their skin requires water to cool down. According to Sandiagozoo.com if a Hippo is out of water for long, it will likely surfer from dehydration and die.
Conclusion on Do Hippos have Gills?
There you have it, Hippos do not have gills. Although they can hold their breath for a long time and stay underwater, they need to come up for air eventually. Hippos are large animals that can weigh up to 3,000 pounds. They spend most of their time in water and on land they use their strong legs to support themselves while they are swimming.
Lydia King is a huge animal lover and has always been fascinated with learning about the animal kingdom. She enjoys writing about anything animal related from scientific information about rare species to animal references in pop culture.
