Hippo

Hippos are the world's third-largest land mammal and are enormous semi-aquatic creatures endemic to Africa. With a spherical body, short legs, and a huge head with stunning canine tusks, they have a striking look. Hippos prefer to dwell near lakes, rivers, and swamps, and spend most of their time cooling off in the mud and water. They're great swimmers, and they've been known to give birth in the water on occasion. Hippos like to eat grass, although they will raid crops as well. Hippos have a unique digestive system among ungulates, hoofed animals. As "pseudo-ruminants," they have a distinct digestive system.

Pseudo-ruminants have three stomachs yet retain the advantages of ruminant stomachs with four chambers. This indicates that their stomachs do not break down their food in each compartment. Although pseudo-ruminants have three stomachs, they nonetheless have the same advantages as ruminants with four-chambered stomachs. This implies that, unlike ruminants, their stomachs break down their food in each compartment without their having to chew the cud.

Digestive System : Four Stomach Chambers