World Hippo Day

All eyes are on hippopotamuses today! The third-largest land mammals—after elephants and white rhinos—deserve our attention, especially on World Hippo Day. Categorized as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, these semiaquatic animals are native to Sub-Saharan Africa.
The peeping calf in today's image is still under the watchful eye of its mother and will continue to be so until nursing ends at about eight months. These chubby mammals, with an impressive weight of up to 3,300 pounds, might seem cute, but their strong jaws, large teeth and aggressive behavior make them one of the world's most dangerous wild animals. So admire them from a safe distance—despite their short legs, they are also fast runners!
© Nature Picture Library/Alamy