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A group of hippos makes a...

Tamsin WalkerJanuary 21, 2015

A bloat. Might seem a little facetious, but that is indeed the term used to describe a collection of these semi-aquatic mammals.

https://p.dw.com/p/1ENmU
A hippo in the water, its mouth wide open
Hippos can open their mouths up to 150 degrees. The tusks inside weigh as much as three kilos eachImage: Fotolia/bandanar

Hippopotami typically live in groups of between 10 and 20 females and their young.

The bloat is led by a single dominant male, who defends his stretch of river bank from intruders. While the male might allow others to enter his territory, it is on the basis they understand he holds the breeding rights.

Although the hippopotamus is one of the largest land mammals on the planet, it still has a number of predators, including lions, hyeanas and crocodiles. They are also at risk from biodiversity erosion and poachers, who kill them both for their meat and their ivory teeth.