Hippopotamus – Aggression and Power
Keywords:
Freshwater wisdom, a connection to river and waterhorse mythologies, aggression and power (both a fear of, and connection to), grumpiness, being ill-tempered, over-reacting to the presence of others, learning how to control and measure your own energy, self-control, reining yourself in.
General Description:
The hippopotamus is a Vulnerable mammal found in sub-Saharan Africa. They are known for their love of water, being semi-aquatic and spending up to 16 hours a day submerged or wallowing in areas of water; for this they were given the nickname ‘river horse.’ They will also use water as a retreat when they are attacked. They secrete a reddish oily substance which acts as a natural sunscreen and protection against germs and parasites. They are large mammals, and very heavy for their size; despite this, they can reach high speeds when running.
Hippopotamus are territorial in the water, but not on land where they graze. They are mostly herbivores that take in a proportionately small amount of food for their size. They are most closely related to cetaceans (whales and dolphins). They have unique methods of communication, including one cry which is able to penetrate both the water and the air at the same time. It is one of the world’s most aggressive creatures, frequently attacking humans, boats, crocodiles and many other creatures.