The word "Hippopotamus" comes from Greek for "River Horse." The Greeks though them to be a relative of the horse, but recent research shows that their closest living relatives are actually whales.

I'm not terribly surprised that a hippo raised from birth around humans could be reasonably tame. Even though they are known to be very aggressive, they're still very intelligent.

>> ^rougy:
Hippos are pretty quick on their feet.


That they are, although the they aren't exactly distance runners, you'd still need a head-start on them.

>> ^Wikipedia:
Even though they are bulky animals, hippopotamuses can run faster than a human on land. Estimates of their running speed vary from 30 km/h (18 mph) to 40 km/h (25 mph), or even 50 km/h (30 mph). The hippo can maintain these higher speeds for only a few hundred meters.


Other neat facts:

On the National Geographic Channel television program, "Dangerous Encounters with Brady Barr", Dr. Brady Barr measured the bite pressure of an adult female hippo at 1,821 lb (826 kg)

...

Their skin secretes a natural sunscreen substance which is red-colored. The secretion is sometimes referred to as "blood sweat," but is neither blood nor sweat. This secretion is initially colorless and turns red-orange within minutes, eventually becoming brown. Two distinct pigments have been identified in the secretions, one red (hipposudoric acid) and one orange (norhipposudoric acid). The two pigments are highly acidic compounds. Both pigments inhibit the growth of disease-causing bacteria; as well, the light absorption of both pigments peaks in the ultraviolet range, creating a sunscreen effect. All hippos, even those with different diets secrete the pigments, so it does not appear that food is the source of the pigments. Instead, the animals may synthesize the pigments from precursors such as the amino acid tyrosine.


Cool!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJ7AzBIJoI&feature=related

or more locally (but lower quality) http://www.videosift.com/video/Everybodys-free-to-wear-sunscreen

Tags for this video have been changed from 'chris rock, advice, stripper, baz luhrmann, pay close attention' to 'chris rock, advice, stripper, wear sunscreen, baz luhrmann, pay close attention' - edited by calvados

That dog seems to have some sort of pack on it with what, sunscreen bottles? Maybe a remote control?

maybe the donkey just wants to write a funny message on her back with his special sunscreen?

Tags for this video have been changed from 'advice, sunscreen, baz luhrman, 1999, philosophy' to 'advice, sunscreen, baz luhrmann, 1999, philosophy' - edited by my15minutes

yeah, pretty good lineup, for this graduating class.

and since Oatmeal hasn't been afforded as much attention, given his more recent addition to the lineup there, let's all pay homage to his favorite sift. it's a heartfelt, moving plea; a wonderful scented candle to ward off all our darknesses. i cried, just a little.

in fact, let's make the rounds for all six of their favorite sifts, courtesy of the ongoing compilation, by the 5th, of you 6.

oh, and choggie?

don't forget about the sunscreen.

be the ball.

oh, just realized you've got one N in Luhrmann.

that'll help, if you wanna' update that, maatc. great pick. maybe even leave in the misspelled version as well, in case others look for it that way as well.

and since your description, doesn't really describe, or help anyone find it?...
might wanna' use some, or all, of what mine was just about to be:

>>>
Baz Luhrmann's "Everybody's Free (to wear sunscreen)"

Originally titled:
“Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young"
This song was originally written as a “essay” in June 1st, 1997. Written by Mary Schmich, and published in the Chicago Tribune. In 1998 it was made into a song by Baz Luhrmann with the authorization of Schmich. This “video” was originally made by one of Brazil's top advertising agencies “DM9 DDB”.

The narration and music made me think this was some kind of perverted version of "sunscreen"