Scientists say hippos can communicate with each other and tell the difference between the honking sounds of their friends, neighbours and strangers.
Until now, the function of the loudest and most common hippo calls, known as “wheeze honks”, has been a mystery.
French researchers recorded hippo sounds at a nature reserve in Mozambique and broadcast the recordings through loud speakers over lakes.
They found hippos responded differently to friend and foe, suggesting they could tell each other apart.
The lead scientist Nicolas Mathevon says the knowledge could help in the conservation of hippos, which are not yet endangered, but whose numbers are falling fast.
