Hexaprotodon sivalensis (SciiFii)

The Asiatic hippopotamus (Hexaprotodon sivalensis), also known as the Asian hippopotamus and the Indian hippopotamus, is a species of hippopotamus that originally lived in South and Southeast Asia during the early to late Pleistocene and was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and reintroduced throughout the species' former range to help boost biodiversity. The Asiatic hippopotamus is smaller than the common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), with the average length of up to 3 meters (9.8 feet) in length, the height of 110-140 centimeters (3.6-4.5 feet) tall, an a weight of 400-700 kilograms (881-1,543 lbs). Unlike other hippos, the Asiatic hippopotamus has six front teeth (incisors) in each jaw instead of just four, in addition to the tusks (the canines). As a derived hippopotamus species, it has its eyes raised high on the skull, but are not quite as high as those of the common hippo. Apart from its teeth, the Asiatic hippopotamus looks very similar to a subadult common hippopotamus. Asiatic hippopotamuses are semiaquatic and require enough water to immerse in, while being close to grass. They prefer relatively still waters with gently sloping shores, though male Asiatic hippos may also be found in very small numbers in more rapid waters with rocky slopes. Asiatic hippopotamuses mostly live in freshwater habitat, but can be found in estuaries. Asiatic hippopotamuses spend most the day in water to stay cool and hydrated. Just before night begins, they leave the water to foraging on land. Like most herbivores, Asiatic hippos will consume a variety of plants if presented with them in captivity, but their diet in nature consists almost entirely of grass, with only minimal consumption of aquatic plants. The Asiatic hippo will travel 3–5 km (1.9–3.1 mi) per night, eating slightly less than 40 kilograms (88 lbs) of grass. By dawn, they are back in the water. On occasion, Asiatic hippos have been filmed eating carrion, usually near the water. There are other reports of meat-eating and even cannibalism and predation. Asiatic hippos' stomach anatomy lacks adaptions to carnivory and meat-eating is likely caused by lack of nutrients or just an abnormal behaviour. Because of their size and their habit of taking the same paths to feed, Asiatic hippos can have a significant impact on the land across which they walk, keeping the land clear of vegetation and depressing the ground. Over prolonged periods, Asiatic hippos can divert the paths of swamps and channels. By defecating in the water, the animals also appear to pass on microbes from their gut, affecting the biogeochemical cycle. Asiatic hippo pods fluctuate but can contain over 100 hippos. Although they lie close together, adults develop almost no social bonds. Males establish territories in water but not land, and these may range 250–500 m (270–550 yd) in lakes and 50–100 m (55–109 yd) in rivers. Territories are abandoned when the water dries up. The bull has breeding access to all the cows in his territory. Younger bachelors are allowed to stay as long as they defer to him. A younger male may challenge the old bull for control of the territory. Within the pods, the hippos tend to segregate by sex and status. Bachelor males lounge near other bachelors, females with other females, and the territorial male is on his own. When Asiatic hippos emerge from the water to graze, they do so individually. Although less aggressive than the common hippopotamus, Asiatic hippo bulls are known to clash with each other during the breeding season. Females reach sexual maturity at five to six years of age and have a gestation period of eight months. Females may begin puberty at as early as three or four years. Males reach maturity at around 7.5 years. Both conceptions and births are highest during the wet season. Male Asiatic hippos always have mobile spermatozoa and can breed year-round. After becoming pregnant, a female Asiatic hippo will typically not begin ovulation again for 17 months. Asiatic hippos mate in the water, with the cow remaining under the surface, her head emerging periodically to draw breath. Females give birth in seclusion and return within 10 to 14 days. Calves are born on land or shallow water. The female lies on her side when nursing, which can occur underwater or on land. The young are carried on their mothers' backs in deep water. Mother Asiatic hippos are very protective of their young, not allowing others to get too close. One female was recorded protecting a calf's carcass after it had died. Calves may be temporarily kept in nurseries, guarded by one or more adults, and will play amongst themselves. Like many other large mammals, Asiatic hippos are described as K-strategists, in this case typically producing just one large, well-developed infant every couple of years (rather than many small, poorly developed young several times per year, as is common among small mammals such as rodents). Calves no longer need to suckle when they are a year old. The Asiatic hippo's lifespan is typically 40 to 50 years. The conservation status of the Asiatic hippopotamus is Near Threatened due to habitat loss and historical poaching, however, thanks to successful conservation efforts, the Asiatic hippopotamus is a protected species.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii