Hippopotamuses love water,which is why the greeks named them "The River Horse". Hippo spend up to 16 hours a day submerged in rivers and lakes to keep their massive bodies cool under the hot african sun. Hippos are graceful in water,good swimmers and can hold their breathe underwater for up to five minutes. However,they are often large enough to simply walk or stand on the lake floor,or lie in the shallows. Their eyes and nostrils are located high on their heads,which allows them to see and breathe while mostly submerge.
Hippos also bask on the shoreline and secrete an oily red substance,which gave rise to the myth they sweat blood. The liquid is actually a sin moistener and sunblock that may also provide protection against germs.
