06/10/2026
You probably know the hippo as the giant, sleepy-looking resident of the river. But there’s a lot more going on beneath the surface.
Here are a few facts you might not know:
🦛 They can’t actually swim. Hippos move through water by pushing off the bottom and walking or bouncing along it.
🦛 Their closest living relatives are whales and dolphins. Yes, seriously.
🦛 They can hold their breath for around 5 minutes before coming back up for air.
🦛 They secrete a reddish oily substance that helps protect their skin from the sun and may have antimicrobial properties.
🦛 They’re surprisingly fast on land, reaching speeds of around 30 km/h over short distances.
The Mara has plenty of characters. The hippo just happens to be one of the most misunderstood.
Which fact surprised you most? 👀
Come experience Mara.
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