One of the best rides at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is Kilimanjaro Safaris. Guests ride on a big safari vehicle and get to see lots of African animals in their habitat. I love to take pictures of all the animals, but when I get home I often wish I knew the names of the animals in my pictures and maybe some facts about them. In Safari Stars, my new series, I will introduce you to 10 African animals found on Kilimanjaro Safaris. Along with a picture and their name I’ll give you 5 fun facts about each animal. Happiness Squared. Today’s animal is the hippopotamus.
I have always loved hippos. They seem like they do nothing but lay around all day yet they are nimble agile creatures. They are also very good mothers and they make crocodiles nervous. (How many animals do that?) I think they are cool to look at. To see them up close walk the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. You can see the hippos hanging out under the water with only a thin pane of glass between you and these 5,000 to 8,000 pound animals. Amazing.
5 fun facts about hippos:
1) Hippopotamus is Greek for river horse. This is a good name because hippos love water.
2)Hippos spend up to 16 hours in the water to keep themselves cool under the hot African sun.
3) Hippos can be completely underwater for up to five minutes. They don’t have to move very much to take a breath because their nostrils are high on their head.
4) As hippos graze in the evening they consume around 80 pounds of grass. Sometimes they walk for miles to get the food they need.
5) A newborn Hippo weighs 100 pounds. They can drink their mother’s milk either on land or underwater. Underwater they are able to close their ears and nostrils.
How many times have you ridden on Kilimanjaro Safaris?
Goofy Tip: Kilimanjaro Safaris is a great ride for one or two people. There is a short bench behind the driver where small groups and single riders sit. In these seat you don’t have anyone sitting in front of you and blocking the view. You can see the driver easily as he points out animals. The one time I rode in these seats I got some great pictures. If you are a small group or a single rider I wouldn’t miss this ride.