According to the scientific classification system, the hippopotamus is most closely related to pigs and peccaries, but genetic tests show they're far more similar to dolphins or whales. By far the most impressive feature of the hippo is its enormous head, with its mammoth mouth opening to reveal a set of long, razor-sharp teeth.
Open Wide
A hippo's mouth may be 2 feet wide at its lip. The mouth of an adult hippo is roomy enough for 36 teeth, including tusks that can grow up to 2 feet long. Incisors and bottom incisors thrust vertically to the front of the mouth to stab foes. More commonly, male hippos size one another up by opening their mouth up to 150 degrees, stretching it to its full 4 to 5 feet length.
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Indulging her passion for vacation vagary through the written word on a full-time basis since 2010, travel funster Jodi Thornton-O'Connell guides readers to the unexpected, quirky, and awe-inspiring.
