| Hippos
live in large groups called "herds." Herds live in a "territory" controlled
by a large male hippo called a "bull." Most of the hippos in the herd
are adult female hippos with their calves. Small male male hippos can
also live in the herd if they obey the rules made by the bull.
Hippos can be very noisy because they communicate through many kinds of vocalizations. Few of their vocalizations are quiet. However, most people standing on shore never hear most of the calls that hippos make. This is because about 80% of a hippo's vocalizations occur underwater. |
A herd of hippos resting in a lagoon. |