Question: What land animal can open its mouth the widest?
Show answer
The hippopotamus.
The land animal known for having the capability to open its mouth the widest in proportion to its size is the hippopotamus. The hippopotamus, commonly referred to as the “hippo,” is a large, mostly herbivorous mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa. They are often found in rivers, lakes, and swamps, where they spend a significant amount of their time submerged to keep their large bodies cool under the hot African sun.
One of the most striking features of the hippopotamus is its massive mouth. When fully extended, a hippo can open its mouth to an angle of up to 150 degrees or more. This wide gape is not just for show; it serves several purposes in the life of a hippo.
Firstly, those wide-open jaws are used in displays of dominance and territoriality. Male hippos, in particular, will open their mouths wide and show off their large canine teeth as a sign of aggression or to assert dominance over a territory. These displays can often lead to violent confrontations between rival males, with each using their powerful jaws and sharp teeth as weapons.
Additionally, the wide mouth aids the hippo during feeding. Although hippos primarily eat grass, they can consume large amounts of it in one sitting – up to 40 kilograms (88 pounds) in a single night. Those big mouths can take in a sizable chunk of grass with each bite.
Interestingly, despite the intimidating size of their mouths and their enormous, dagger-like canine teeth, hippos are not designed for chewing meat. Those long canines and incisors are not used for feeding at all but are instead weapons and tools for combat and display.
