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Alright folks, I'm here to talk to you about one of my favourite animals,
Hippopotamus Domum or better known as the North American House Hippo is found all throughout Canada as well as parts of the Eastern United States, mostly the more northern areas of the east coast.
Compared to their African cousins these pint-sized Hippos are incredibly docile- preferring to choose flight over fight if put in a situation.
They're crepuscular/nocturnal creatures, seen wandering mostly in the evening and early hours of the morning with spending upwards of about 16 hours a day sleeping
They find small areas to build soft warm nests for sleeping, out of any material they can find, such as a stray mitten, dryer lint or even bits of string. Some have also been found to have used lost socks if mittens aren't available.
Some of the favourite foods of the House Hippo is Raisins but also enjoy some chips and the crumbs from peanut butter toast. They've also been known to take a nibble from any pet food left out. And needing constant access to fresh water they'll use any source they can find available- including your pets water dish
Many people consider them to be pests but honestly they're pretty harmless and far less destructive then having something like a rat or mouse in the house. So please do not try to shoo them out or call pest control, they just trying to live their best life not causing any problems.
Most of the time you'll really only see them in house when they come to seek shelter from Canada's bitter winters -although having a some what thicker fat layer then their cousins for extra warmth it still isn't the best protection.
Come the warmth of Spring and Summer a house Hippo will venture out to explore and find a mate and have their own calves or pups (both terms acceptable)
Although still fairly territorial of their chosen location they aren't nearly so aggressive as what you come to know and expect out of a Hippo.
When not in the homes of people House Hippo Nests have been discovered with in the den's of other animals as well, whether or not there's any kind of symbiotic relationship or not is still being studied but it seems clear that at the very least the resident of the den doesn't seem to receive any negative affects for it living there
(There's also many native beliefs that finding one in your home is a sign of a good home and supposed to bring luck and prosperity to those in it)
They don't make the best pets but it is also recommended if one is in your home to leave out food easier for them to get to- for one it cuts down on any mess they may cause when they come out at night eat to eat. They also aren't very good climbers.