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Hippo Hero Trivia Quiz

Hippopotamuses (or hippopotami) are amazing creatures. I've asked for one for Christmas every year since I was young. Here's a quiz about a very amazing animal, good luck!

A multiple-choice quiz by star_386a. Estimated time: 3 mins.

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Author
star_386a

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
245,792

Updated
Dec 29 23

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
2660

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 62 (5/10), Guest 134 (4/10), Guest 114 (9/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The name hippopotamus means "horse of the river." From what language is the name derived? Hint

Italian

French

Latin

Greek

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. A baby hippo is known as a what? Hint

foal

cub

kid

calf

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. Hippopotamuses are very easily sunburned. What action does a hippo take to reduce this risk? Hint

stay in the shade

submerge themselves in water

burrow into the ground

take shelter in a cave

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Hippopotamuses secrete a natural sunscreen through their skins to prevent sunburn. What is this secretion referred to?
Hint

Raw Mucus

Blood Sweat

Lanolin

SPF Hippo

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Hippopotamuses are most closely related to which animal? Hint

Whale

Elephant

Pig

Crocodile

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. The hippopotamus is native to which continent? Hint

Australia

South America

Africa

Asia

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Question 7 of 10

7. The hippopotamus is considered one of the most __________ animals in Africa. Hint

endangered

gentle

dangerous

common

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Hippopotamuses were placed on the IUCN Red List in May 2006 because they are ___________________. Hint

very dangerous

legal to hunt

growing in numbers

in danger of extinction

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. As of 2006 the oldest known hippo in captivity is the 55 year old Donna. In what country is Donna located? Hint

Austrailia

Kenya

United States

France

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Hippopotamuses usually live in groups. What are these groups called? Hint

herd

gam

flock

colony

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Most Recent Scores

Oct 28 2024 : Guest 62: 5/10
Oct 23 2024 : Guest 134: 4/10
Oct 20 2024 : Guest 114: 9/10
Oct 17 2024 : Guest 110: 5/10
Oct 13 2024 : Guest 122: 10/10
Oct 08 2024 : Guest 85: 8/10
Oct 05 2024 : GausarTheVile: 10/10
Oct 04 2024 : Guest 164: 8/10
Oct 03 2024 : Guest 100: 6/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The name hippopotamus means "horse of the river." From what language is the name derived?

Answer: Greek

Hippopotamus is from the Greek, hippos meaning "horse" and potamos meaning "river".

2. A baby hippo is known as a what?

Answer: calf

A male hippopotamus is a bull, and a female is a cow.

3. Hippopotamuses are very easily sunburned. What action does a hippo take to reduce this risk?

Answer: submerge themselves in water

A hippo's eyes, ears, and nostrils are placed high on the top of the skull to allow them to submerge almost entirely. The waters also keep the hippopotamus cool and help take some weight of their legs.

4. Hippopotamuses secrete a natural sunscreen through their skins to prevent sunburn. What is this secretion referred to?

Answer: Blood Sweat

It is not actually blood or sweat. The secretion is highly acidic pigments which actually absorb the light causing a sunscreen effect.

5. Hippopotamuses are most closely related to which animal?

Answer: Whale

The ancient Greeks believed the hippo to be related to the horse. Up until 1985, the pig was believed the closest relative based on molar patterns. However fossil records, blood proteins, and molecular systematics show hippos are actually closer to whales and dolphins.

6. The hippopotamus is native to which continent?

Answer: Africa

Hippopotamuses actually were common in Africa and Europe before the last ice age. Now they are found along the Nile River and in central and southern Africa.

7. The hippopotamus is considered one of the most __________ animals in Africa.

Answer: dangerous

The hippo does not hunt humans, but is highly territorial and will defend its territory against anything that invades its space. Hippos have killed crocodiles, lions, and even humans.

8. Hippopotamuses were placed on the IUCN Red List in May 2006 because they are ___________________.

Answer: in danger of extinction

Hippo populations are rapidly decreasing due to poaching and habitat loss. The hippo population of Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo has dropped from 29,000 in the 1970s to 800-900 individuals in 2005.

9. As of 2006 the oldest known hippo in captivity is the 55 year old Donna. In what country is Donna located?

Answer: United States

Donna lives at the Mesker Park Zoo in Evansville, Indiana. Donna was born in July, 1951.

10. Hippopotamuses usually live in groups. What are these groups called?

Answer: herd

A group of female hippos and calves are called a nursery.

Source: Author star_386a

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
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