Footage from Osaka Zoo shows a man who brushes a hippo’s teeth (and the brush is probably even bigger than a broom.) Although it looks adorable, you should also know that they have some of the largest teeth and one of the strongest bite forces in the whole animal kingdom!
Go to the bottom to watch the video!
Cute and Chunky: But Also Extremely Dangerous
Out of all the “traditional” safari animals, I believe the hippo is one of the cutest with tiny ears and chunk bodies. But, don’t let their looks fool you -they are among the most dangerous animals in the world. You definitely don’t want to be chased by these 3,000 pounds animals (and which are surprisingly agile both in water and on land.)
Not only are they massive, they are extremely territorial and can be very aggressive, especially if they feel threatened.
Hippos Are Responsible For the Most Animal-related Deaths in Africa
Again, this feels counterintuitive to their adorable faces, but hippos are responsible for more human fatalities in Africa than any other large animal. On average, they’re responsible for 500 deaths. This number is notable when compared to lions, usually responsible for about 20 annual deaths, which is funny considering people tend to be far more scared of lions than hippos.
What Makes Them So Dangerous?
Other than their massive weight and surprising speed, the bite of a hippo can also inflict some serious injury.
Their powerful bite is capable of exerting pressure of up to 2,000 pounds per square inch, making them incredibly dangerous even to well-intentioned humans (highlighting how brave the man brushing the hippo’s teeth is.)
How Big Are a Hippo’s Teeth? (and what do they use them for..)
Being one of the largest land animals on earth, it naturally follows that they have some of the largest teeth: their canines and incisors can grow up to 20 inches long! These teeth continuously grow throughout their lives.
In contrast to many other large animals, their teeth are primarily used for combat rather than for eating (remember, they’re vegetarians.)
The Video: Man Brushes Hippos Teeth
The video shows a hippo getting a full mouth service at Osaka Zoo. One of the zoo’s caretakers examines its mouth and brushes its teeth (with a brush the size of a broom!) After patiently keeping its mouth open it’s of course rewarded with a snack – bananas and sweet potato.
Closing Thoughts
We can definitely conclude that the hippo is not to be underestimated. Considering their 2,000 psi bite force, how can we not admire this brave zoo worker for bushing a hippo’s teeth?
Thank you for reading this article about the hippo and the man who brushes its teeth! For more hippo-content, take a look at these posts:
- Watch: Lion Messed with the Wrong Hippo
- Watch This Rare and Endangered Baby Pygmy Hippo Born at Athens Zoo
- Must-Watch: Security Guard Prevents Giant Hippo from Escaping the Zoo
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