Hippopotamus, or Hippo, is a large, mostly herbivorous, semiaquatic mammal, and one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae, the other being the pygmy Hippopotamus. The name comes from the ancient Greek for "river horse". After the Elephant and Rhinoceros, the common Hippopotamus is famous for being the third-largest type of land mammal in Africa, as well as the deepest, darkest jungle of "JUMANJI", residing in rivers, lakes and where they aggressively attack and kill anything and anyone that gets too close to them, even though they are mostly herbivores.
Characteristics
Hippos are recognizable by their barrel-shaped torsos, wide-opening mouths revealing large canine tusks, nearly hairless bodies, columnar legs, and large size; adults average 1,500 kg (3,310 lb) and 1,300 kg (2,870 lb) for males and females respectively. Despite its stocky shape and short legs, it is capable of running 30 km/h (19 mph) over short distances.
Hippos inhabit rivers, lakes and mangrove swamps, where territorial bulls preside over a stretch of river and groups of five to thirty females and young and sometimes much larger herds of 100 or more. During the day, they remain cool by staying in the water or mud; reproduction and childbirth both occur in water. They emerge at dusk to graze on grasses. While Hippopotamuses rest near each other in the water, grazing is a solitary activity and hippos are not territorial on land.
The Hippopotamus is famous worldwide as being among the most dangerous animals in the world as it is extremely aggressive and unpredictable, and highly territorial beasts, keeping these qualities in "JUMANJI". They generally coexist peacefully with any Crocodiles they share waters with, as long as the Crocs stay out of their way and from their calves.
Skill(s)
Teeth
A Hippopotamus is equipped with enormous, razor sharp teeth and forward pointing tusks for grazing and for fighting rivals and any attackers. A Hippo can slam it's mouth shut with the biteforce of a ton.
Swimming
Hippos generally spend as much of their lifetime in any waters they can find and even sleep for some periods underwater. Hippos are generally territorial and chase after any intruding animals or people that venture too close to them.
Strength
Due to the size and weight of the animal, Hippos are immensely strong enough to fling any victims in the air and devour them.
Appearances
Board Game
- Secret symbol: Raft
- Number: 3
In the Jumanji (1996 Video Game), Hippos appear in the game as hazards.
- Monsoon Lagoon (Crocodile Totem): The player plays as Alan Parrish. The house is flooded with water and the player must jump from one piece of furniture to the next, across the rapids. Hazards include Hippos and Crocodiles.
The Hippopotamus of doom.
In the animated series, Hippos appear as very dangerous aquatics "JUMANJI" animals. They could be very aggressive towards anything that crossed its territory but could be scared into diving underwater after hearing the sounds of gunfire from Van Pelt.
The mechanical Hippo sinks in Quicksand.
2017 film
A Hippo attacks Shelly.
In the 2017 film, the players land in The Game, after selecting their avatars. While getting used to their new characters, Bethany Walker discovered in a nearby river reflection that her character avatar was Shelly Oberon, completely unaware that a Hippo was swimming in the river behind him. The Hippo (presumably agitated by his screaming) submerged from the river and ran up behind Shelly (Beth), seizing him in its jaws and (seemingly) killing him.
The Hippo illustration.
Fortunately Shelly (Beth) had 2 more lives to spare and regenerated back into the game, incorrectly believing his attacker to be a Rhino until zoologist Franklin "Mouse" Finbar corrected him. But another Hippo appeared from the bushes and gave an intimidating grunt which scared the players into running, but the Hippo attacker from before was still riled up and gave chase to the players. Only managing to catch a ride in Nigel Billingsley's jeep enabled the quartet to finally escape from the Hippos.
In the "JUMANJI" map closing credits, a Hippo illustration appears next to Jack Black's credits, referencing the Hippo attack scene.
2019 film
In the 2019 film, where the four Brantford humans entered the Video Game was presumably the same From the Deep level as their previous adventure, as their force given avatars and came to terms with their new bodies. Spotting a Hippo emerging from the deep river, Fridge and Martha's prior experience helped them avoid history repeating itself, so Shelly (Fridge) threw a melon into the Hippo's open mouth, sending the Hippo back into the water. Mouse Finbar (Milo) then proceeded to give a detailed biographic on the Hippo species, at a much slower pace than Fridge did last time, while wondering how he could know such things.
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| Books | Novel • Film novel • Zathura • Next Level Comic | |
| Media | 1995 film • TV Series • Zathura: A Space Adventure • Welcome to the Jungle • The Next Level • Untitled Jumanji film | |
| Games | Board Game • Jigsaw • Trading Cards • LCD Game • PC Game • PS2 Game • Mobile Game • 2019 Game • Epic Run • Fluxx • Stickers • The Curse Returns • Wild adventures | |
