Let’s get to know me
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re curious about me – the big, gray animal that loves to spend time in the water. That’s right, I’m a hippopotamus! And while you may know me as a great swimmer with a strong and aggressive nature, there’s much more to me than meets the eye.
One thing that sets me apart from other animals is my incredibly sensitive skin. I have to be careful when spending time in the sun because I can easily get sunburned. Luckily, I have a unique adaptation that helps me protect my skin. Would you like to know? Let’s scroll down!
Haii everyone do you know if I can produce my own sunscreen?
I have a very sensitive skin that sunburn easily. But don’t worry because there is liquid comes out of my skin. You may have heard of the term “sweat blood” in reference to hippopotamuses, and that’s because we produce a substance that looks like blood when it mixes with the mucus on our skin. However, it’s not actually blood – it’s a liquid that comes out of our skin pores, similar to sweat but with some differences. The glands that produce this substance are larger and deeper than those that produce sweat in people and other animals.
This colorless secretion helps to protect our sensitive skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays. When it mixes with the mucus on our skin, it turns red and stays that way for several hours, providing a natural sunscreen. But that’s not all – it also has antimicrobial properties that help to fight off disease-causing microbes. Let’s get to know the hypo species.
Choeropsis liberiensis – Pygmy hippo
This species weighs about 280 kilograms, and has thin skin to keep its body moist. So they stay in the water more often to keep their skin from drying out. Uniquely, this species is antisocial. They often avoid contact and never attack. Usually their habitat will be more often found in the rainforests of West Africa.
Hippopotamus amphibius – Nile Hippo
This species can weigh up to 1400 to 3000 kg. They have very fat skin that serves as protection from predators. They typically live in large groups on riverbanks and are very aggressive and territorial creatures. If you want to see them in their native habitat, you can find them in shallow rivers or canals throughout Africa.
As a hippopotamus, I have a unique adaptation that helps me protect my sensitive skin from the sun’s harmful rays. By taking care of our skin and staying safe in the sun, we can all enjoy the great outdoors without putting our health at risk!
