Happy World Hippo Day from the Haberdashery Cryptid Preserve!

While we at the Haberdashery Cryptid Preserve might specialize in the strange and unseen, we also appreciate the wonders of the real animal kingdom! Today, we celebrate World Hippopotamus Day (February 15th) by honoring these fascinating, semi-aquatic giants.

Hippos: More Than Just Big and Grumpy

Hippos may have a reputation for being territorial and aggressive, but there's more to them than meets the eye. Here are some fun facts to impress your friends:

• Underwater Wonders: Despite their size, hippos spend most of their days submerged, cooling off and grazing on underwater plants. They're excellent swimmers and can even hold their breath for several minutes!

• Social Butterflies (Sort Of): Hippos live in large herds, with females forming the core social group. While males can be quite competitive, these social structures show a surprising level of complexity.

• Sweat Like Blood (Almost): Hippos secrete a reddish oily substance that helps protect their skin from the sun. This might look like sweat (and sometimes gets called "blood sweat"), but it's actually a clever adaptation.

A Hippo-cratic Oath (Maybe Not)

While hippos are undeniably real, there are a few legendary creatures with a hippo-like vibe. Have you heard of the Njalla? This aquatic cryptid from the Congo Basin is said to resemble a giant hippopotamus with glowing eyes. Unlike the territorial but mostly herbivorous hippo, the Njalla is rumored to be a fearsome predator.

Celebrating Hippos at Haberdashery

Here at the Haberdashery Cryptid Preserve, we appreciate all creatures, even the real ones! Today, our keepers will be enriching the Hippo Enclosure with some special treats and underwater toys. Who knows, maybe our resident Ndege, a particularly curious young hippo, will even demonstrate some of those impressive swimming skills!

So, next time you're at the Haberdashery Cryptid Preserve, be sure to stop by and say hello to our hippos. They may not be mythical beasts, but they're certainly fascinating creatures worthy of celebration.