<grabbing Kit by the arm<gently> and pulling them back into the conversation>
Long story Kit...
Ethiopian: Historically, hippos have been found throughout all of subsaharan Africa, but most populations have been reduced or exterminated. Currently, the only large populations of hippos occur in the Nile river valley of East Africa.
^ Physical Characteristics
Mass: 3000 to 4500 kg.
The hippopotamus is typically a slate brown color to muddy brown, with purplish hues often visible. A massive animal, it measures 1500mm in height at the shoulder and has a length of 4310-5160 mm, of which about 560mm is tail. The eyes and nostrils protrude, allowing the animal to see and breathe while otherwise submerged in the water.
^ Natural History
^ Food Habits
The hippopotamus is strictly a vegetarian. Its diet consists mainly of terrestrial grasses.
^ Reproduction
The hippopotamus is capable of breeding year round, but it experiences seasonal breeding peaks during February and August. The birth of young coinsides with months of peak rainfall, October and April. The female hippo experiences a three day estrus, during which she is mated by the resident bull. After a gestation of 227-240 days, the cow gives birth to a single calf, weighing 27-50 kg. Calves nurse underwater and are frequently seen riding upon their mothers' backs while the mother is in the water. Males reach sexual maturity in the wild between 6 and 14 years of age, whereas females are capable of breeding at 7-15 years of age.
^ Behavior
The hippopotamus typically sleeps during the day and maintains activity at night. It is not, however, strictly nocturnal. Hippos may cover up to 33 km of water each night in search of food. They eat mainly the grasses along the shores of the rivers they inhabit, but they have been seen grazing up to 3.2 km from the shoreline.
Hippos are extremely graceful in the water, despite their clumsy appearance on land. Their specific gravity allows them to sink to the bottom of rivers and literally walk or run along the bottom.
Hippos may occur singly or in groups of up to 30 animals. The central core of social groups appears to be females with their dependent offspring. Adult males vie for control of these herds. Aggression between males is intense. The hippos use their long canine teeth as weapons, and death often results from fighting between males. Most adult male hides are covered with scars from injuries incurred during such fights. Losing males are often relagated to a solitary existence.
^ Habitat
The preferred habitat of this species is deep water with adjacent reed beds and grasslands.
Biomes: freshwater lake, freshwater rivers
^ Economic Importance for Humans
^ Positive
Hippopotamus is a valued food source for many of the native people of Africa. The meat is highly prized, as is the large quantity of fat obtained from the kill of a single animal. Hippos teeth yield surperior ivory, and the hide is also considered valuable.
^ Negative
Hippopotamus frequently raid agricultural crops. They can inflict a great deal of damage, and inhibit local economies. They are also highly aggressive creatures and have little fear of humans. They are considered among the most dangerous African animals.
well..
specific gravity ...thats how they do it!?!
I hate to hijack threads, but what the hell is with all the hippos? 
