In the wild the Hippopotamus eats soft grasses and other low lying plants, aquatic and reed plants, leaves, and fallen fruits. While in the zoo, however, the hippopotamus eat a herbivorous diet. The hippopotamus will occasionally eat cultivated crops such as corn and sugar cane. Special Anatomical, Physiological, or Behavioral Adaptations Eyes, ears, and nose of the animal are high on the face, allowing the animal to be almost totally submerged when it is in the water. The Hippopotamus spends their day lying in the water, with oily secretions helping protect the skin from the sun.
Hippos spend their nights grazing.
Hippopotamuses live in family groups with one male, several females, and their young. Video of hippo courtship at the Smithsonian Web Site . The Hippo rivals the Rhinoceros for the title of the second largest land mammal. The stomach of the Hippo has three chambers, but is non-ruminating. The life span of the animal is 35 to 50 years.