Description of Taxidermy For Sale This is a exceptional Hippopotamus full skull mount. This skull clearly came from a mature bull and has been profesionally cleaned, and whitened. THIS SKULL IS MASSIVE it measures 63cm in length!!! These combined factors earn this piece our Premier™ overall quality rating. All applicable dimensions are included to help ensure this item will fit within your intended display space.- This item comes attached to a shield (63x46cm) and can easily be mounted to the wall or be displayed lying flat as seen on our large piano (it is a bit too big for the piano though). This skull is around 100 years old and has an entrance and exit wound from the rifle shot that took it down. Supposedly this was due to this particular hippo attacking a nearby village multiple times and had to be hunted down. Whatever the circumstances, the holes add to the story this piece has to tell! About the Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) The "Hippo" spends up to 16 hours a day submerged in rivers and lakes to keep their massive bodies cool under the hot sun. These massive cow-like creatures are actually relatively nimble swimmers, and can hold their breath underwater for up to five minutes. Their eyes and nostrils are located high on their heads, which allows them to see and breathe while mostly submerged, though they also bask on the shoreline and secrete an oily red substance, which acts as a skin lotion or sun block! At sunset, hippos leave the water and travel overland to graze, and may travel up to 6 miles single-file, consuming up to eighty lbs of grass! It will be very well prepared for shipping. Good luck!