11/08/2026
Hippos spend most of their daytime submerged in water to regulate body temperature and protect their sensitive skin from the sun. 🦛
Despite their bulky appearance, they are surprisingly agile in water, where they can move by pushing off the riverbed rather than swimming in the usual sense. At night, they leave the water to graze on grass, sometimes covering several kilometres in a single feeding journey.
One important fact is that hippos produce a natural oily secretion often called “blood sweat,” which helps protect their skin from sun damage and infections. This adaptation is essential for survival in hot, dry environments where water access is limited during the day.
