Giant mouth gapes ... Tiny ears twitch... Meet the hippopotamus! Brimming with vivid photos and scientific facts, this middle-grade nonfiction book treats researchers and wild animal lovers to a comprehensive profile of these water-loving land mammals. It covers zoology topics such as anatomy, diet, habitat, and life cycle, as well as species conservation efforts and the animals' relationship with humans throughout history. Sidebars, a range map, and a glossary support the main text, while a Kenyan folktale about the hippopotamus adds a cross-curricular cultural layer to the title.