Hippos: From Ancient Rivers to Modern MythsThey are huge, awkward in appearance, but deadly in water. They spend most of the day in rivers and lakes, coming ashore only at night. Hippos are among the most contradictory inhabitants of our planet. On the one hand, their thick bodies seem comical, on the other, they kill more people annually than sharks and lions combined. How did these amazing creatures come into being? Why do humans fear and admire them at the same time? And can a hippo be a domestic pet? Let's dive into this story — without sentimentality, but with curiosity.The Evolution of Hippos: From Land to Water and BackThe history of hippos dates back to the Eocene, over 50 million years ago. Their ancestors, like those of whales and dolphins, were terrestrial artiodactyls that gradually adapted to the aquatic environment. However, unlike whales, hippos did not venture into the ocean but remained in freshwater in Africa. They followed their own evolutionary path, retaining many features of terrestrial animals: they breathe air, they have legs, they give birth on land, but spend most of their lives in water.The oldest known hippos appeared in the late Miocene, about 10 million years ago. They were larger than modern species. Today, there are only two species: the common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) and the dwarf hippopotamus, which is found in the forests of West Africa. The dwarf hippopotamus is smaller, more secretive, and less well-known. But it is the common hippopotamus that has become the main character in many myths and fears.The evolution of hippos is unique: they are among the few large mammals that have adapted to a semiaquatic lifestyle, but have remained herbivorous. Their stomach, like that of cows, contains several chambers, which allows them to digest coarse plant food. Their skin secretes a special oil that protects against the sun and acts as a natural antibiotic. This amazing adaptation helps hippos survive in the hot climate.Humans ... Read more