Henrietta the hippopotamus is cooling off. What a fascinating animal. The name comes from a Greek word meaning "water horse" but our huge lady is in no way related to a horse! She is semiaquatic, lives along rivers and lakes in sub-Saharan Africa, can weigh up to 3,300 pounds, and lives 40 to 50 years. She can run 30 miles per hour and is a herbivore. Due to her size and aggressive nature, she can coexist with Nile Crocodiles, lions, and spotted hyenas but these are known to prey on young hippos.
Usually thinking these giants look so docile, who knew they are one of the most aggressive and dangerous animals on Earth! They can snap a canoe in half with their powerful jaws and kill about 500 people in Africa each year as reported by National Geographic in 2017!
Always eager to become familiar with subjects I memorialize in paint, no way do I want to meet a hippo face to face - well, maybe in a zoo!
CHILLIN' won Third Place this week in the Wild About Wildlife show currently on exhibit at the Cape Coral Art League, 516 Cultural Blvd, Cape Coral Florida. I am thrilled!
