Despite being depicted as a gentle and slow giant hippos are fast, they can outrun the average man. Their skin is almost completely hairless but does contain a large number of mucous glands which protect the animals hide in the water and prevent it from drying out. They spend most of the day in the water, coming out onto land usually in the early evening and then through the night to graze. © Tristan Brown - See the Magical Kenya map with a complete picture set.