Why do Hippos fling their poo?

Hippopotamus spend most of their time in the water. The water helps lift the weight of the animal, making travel easier. As a consequence, most of the defecation is performed in the water.

One land (when they must go), there is the addition of several species of flies which are attracted to the hippo feces. The tail action will help keep the annoyance to a minimum.

It seems that most reports of poo flinging to mark territory or attract mates are still in the realm of guess work. The experts know that the hippos fling feces, but no real experiments have been undertaken to prove why they do this behavior.

See the first reference:

"Hippos are not territorial on land. The spraying of bushes with feces occurs when the hippo vigorously wags its tail while defecating, thus spreading the droppings far and wide. The purpose is not clear but it may have a social function as a dominance display or possibly the deposits may serve to orientate the hippo during its nocturnal wanderings."

Often urine as well as feces can be used in the fling. Females as well as males have been observed to fling. Males in zoos (born in captivity) with no other males present have also been recorded as flinging.

Hippos sense of smell and hearing are good but their eyesight is poor. Some recent researchers have suggested that the poo fling is used to help the hippo find its way through the tall grass to the water where it spends most of its time.

Addition:

Recent observations report that breeding males are the most likely to use feces and urine during encounters with other breeding male in the water. There is no tail flinging involved but the excrement is directed toward the competition.

The tail fling on land is often observed at midden sites where multiple animals leave their waste. This is especially true of dominant breeding males.

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RE:

Why do Hippos fling their poo?

I have seen footage of their helicopter like tail flicking their poo everywhere. Why do they do that?

Please let me know where you found your information

According to ancient african legend- Hippos used to live on land and hunt the water where they would eat fish, they hated it and one day the hippos asked the creator to live in the water, they said our backs are burning in the sun and our weight is a burden to our legs, the water cools our backs and takes the weight off our legs and we much prefer water over land. The creator said if you live in the water you will eat all the fish and so he refused. The hippos pleaded and reluctantly agreed to never eat fish again in return for being allowed to live in the water, the creator agreed but said he would watch to make sure the hippos kept the promise. Each time the hippo poops he spreads it for the creator to see there are no fish bones and instead just plants and that he has kept his promise.

In reality it is a show of dominance and territorial marking, And it serves to ward off aggressors and predators in males, and can be a sign of submission in females.

You already have the scientific reason for "poo flinging". (marking territory and distributing scent.)

Just compare it to the habit of the female homo sapiens when she sprays her favorite perfume and - flings her scent all over the place.

Don't flogg me please... I was just picturing a Hippo in a Tutu with a parasol....

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Not recently. How do you smuggle a bag of feces into a courtroom? I see that yahoo is on the ball on this one. It's definitely not considered good etiquette!

Hippo Poop

Hippos spread their poop around to mark their territory boundaries and to attract females.

Ask Rosie O'Donnell, she will know.