Scientists suspected that hippos evolved from a family of plant-eating, semi-aquatic (partly aquatic, or living close or in water) animals called Anthracotheres. They couldn’t confirm it because the fossils were found 15 million years ago!
The scientists stumbled upon a jaw in the Nairobi Museum in Kenya, that happened to be from an Anthracotheres mammal. Then, they became curious to see if they could find the additional remains belonging to the ancient animal.
The ancient hippo weighed no more than 220 pounds. The scientists believe that hippos are related to whales, because of all the time that they spent inside the water. Lihoreau (leader of the scientist) calls the hippo “The real African Mammal” because it is the only true animal that wasn’t brought from other countries, such as Asia, where lions and giraffes came from!
By: Kaydence
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