Hippo
This morning Alexa announced, *‘Air purifier hippo filter replacement.’ I didn’t know there was such a thing as an air purifier hippo . . . and just imagine trying to replace anything in a hippopotamus. J
Hippos are known to be extremely dangerous and will kill a human if under threat, especially if they have young to protect. However, they are primarily herbivorous so will not eat human flesh, not that that is much comfort to the victim.
I learnt the other day, courtesy of Radio 4, that hippos can’t swim. I found that quite astonishing since they spend so much of their time practically underwater, just noses, eyes and ears protruding above the surface. When they sleep, which they do underwater, a reflex prompts them to rise to take a breath before sinking down again. When they are awake they can submerge completely and hold their breath for five minutes.
Hippos are more closely related to whales and dolphins than other mammals and mating and birth both take place in the water. Each bull hippopotamus, which may weigh as much as 3½ tons, defends a stretch of water and controls a group numbering anything from five to thirty cows and calves.
There are two species in the family Hippopotamidae. The first is Hippopotamus amphibius, sometimes called the common, Nile or river hippopotamus. The second is the Pygmy hippopotamus, (Choeropsis liberiensis or Hexaprotodon liberiensis)
Hippos spend their days keeping cool in water or mud, emerging at dusk to graze on grasses.
For those, like Ann, who enjoy them, the collective noun for hippos is 'a bloat' - I find that very appealing.
You may or may not remember this little ditty from Flanders and Swann. The chorus is very easy to learn and will probably stay with you for life.
* Barry replaced the air purifier hepa filter, at no danger to himself. J
I did not know that Hippos cannot swim.
ReplyDeleteYou do now!
DeleteAs River, not a clue. I think they may be the top human killer in South Africa, aside from other humans. Very interesting. I thought I didn't know that song but once the chorus began, of course I do. A bloat is a perfect collective noun. Ah, hippo = hepa.
ReplyDeleteThey are the most dangerous land mammal, apart from other humans, as you say.
DeleteA bloat of hippos, that is absolutely brilliant.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm going to have that song in my head all day - takes me right back to childhood, that one does, and the old 'Children's Favourites' on the radio.
xx
It's so apt, isn't it?
DeleteHi Janice - 'a bloat' of hippos - wonderful! I love that Flanders and Swann song, as many others of theirs ... and Hepa - I have those too, but for my 'hoover' ... which isn't a hoover, but I won't go there! Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI don't know the song, but I like Hippos, they look so cozy with their little ears big eyes and enormous bodies !
ReplyDeleteThey look cute, but they're very dangerous!
DeleteI've been humming, "Have some madeira, m'dear," for days!
ReplyDeleteI don't use Alexa, but I imagine she can be "off" like the Garmin Drive we use in the vehicles. Annoying if not funny, sometimes. I did not think about hippos being distant relatives to whales and dolphins, but I can see why. I did know about the breathing and swimming. I learn so much by PBS Nature shows. Thanks. and glad the "hepa" is replaced without loss of life or limb.
ReplyDeleteAlexa requires very clear enunciation and her hearing isn't always very good, anyway!
DeleteI have been very fortunate on several occasions to see hippos in the wild and it is always a breathtaking experience. They are extremely dangerous, however, and short-tempered too.
ReplyDeleteYou were fortunate, indeed. Hippos can run surprisingly fast, too.
DeleteThank you for that collective noun, I love it!
ReplyDeleteI'm very surprised that hippos can't swim, though.
Did you ever find out what it was Alexa wanted you to do? xxx
Yes, there's always an assumption that if an animal is semi-aquatic it will be able to swim.
ReplyDelete