Interesting and Unbelievable Facts

  A hippo or hippopotamus is a big semi-aquatic mammal, present in sub-Saharan Africa. Hippos are among the largest land animals , behind only elephants and white rhinos. Adult male hippos are bigger than other rhino species.  There are two hippo species : common hippos and pygmy hippos. Common hippos live throughout sub-Saharan Africa, while pygmy hippos are limited to areas of West Africa. Pygmy hippos are smaller than common hippos and both have slightly different food choices. However, both species have many similar features.  Hippos spend their lives on land and in shallow waters. However, they are the closest living relatives of whales , the marine mammals. Hippos are the only extant animals that share the DNA sequence of whales. ( Source ) Hippos protect their skin during intense sunlight using an extraordinary skin secretion , known as blood-sweat. The name is due to the red and orange colors of this unique natural sunscreen. This oily substance provides four adva...

The lion ( Panthera leo ) is a large big cat, second only to tigers in size. They survive in various types of habitats including savannas, grasslands, open woodlands, etc.  Lions were once present in vast areas of Asia , Africa, and Europe . Currently, their range is limited to sub-Saharan Africa (African lions), and Gir National Park in India (Asiatic lions).  Lions can sleep up to 20 hours a day, one of the longest durations among big cats. Lions hunt during dusk and dawn, the time when their prey is less active. Therefore, long sleeping hours during the day enable them to conserve energy for hunting at the right time.  A lion can produce the loudest roar of any big cat , up to 114 dB. This roar can reach  as far as 8 kilometers (5 miles) away. Lions are the most social big cats . They live in groups, known as pride, containing 5 to 30 members. Comparatively, other big cats are primarily solitary. ( Source )  These social mammals form groups, known as pride...