hippopotamus

Kingdom      Animalia          (animal)
Phylum       Chordata          (notocord)
Class        Mammalia          (mammal)
Order        Artiodactyla
Family       Hippopotamidae    (hippopotamus)

dental formula is 2-3/1-3, 1/1, 4/4, 3/3 = 38-44

Some specific hippos are:

• Choeropsis liberiensis (pygmy hippo)
• Hexaprotodon liberiensis (pygmy hippopotamus)
• Hippopotamus amphibius (hippo, probably the one most people think of when they see "hippo")

My favorite animal.

Hip`po*pot"a*mus (?), n.; pl. E. Hippopotamuses (#), L. Hippopotami (#). [L., from Gr.; horse + river. Cf. Equine.] Zool.

A large, amphibious, herbivorous mammal (Hippopotamus amphibius), common in the rivers of Africa. It is allied to the hogs, and has a very thick, naked skin, a thick and square head, a very large muzzle, small eyes and ears, thick and heavy body, and short legs. It is supposed to be the behemoth of the Bible. Called also zeekoe, and river horse. A smaller species (H. Liberiencis) inhabits Western Africa.

© Webster 1913.