HIPPOPOTAMUS 



147 



tinge on the belly. There is a thick layer of fat between 

 the body and the skin. 



Length from 10 to 12 feet. Height about 4| feet. 



Although found throughout the sub-continent in the 

 early days, the Hippo is now practically extinct south of 

 the Eastern Transvaal and Zululand. In the Zambesi 

 region it is still fairly common. Several small herds still 



Fig. 70. — Skeleton of Hippopotamus 

 (from a mounted example in the Transvaal Museum), 



linger in the Komati and Sabi Kivers in the Eastern 

 Transvaal, where they are strictly preserved. They are 

 still fairly common in the Maputo and Inkomati Eivers 

 of Portuguese South-East Africa. 



The Hippo, which is confined to the African continent, 

 lives for the most part in the water, landing only at 

 night to feed upon grass, branches, reeds and rushes. 

 Its call is a series of curious roaring grunts. 



Only one young one is born at a time, which while in 



