Nature May 2004 PMID 15164051

Pigment chemistry: the red sweat of the hippopotamus.

Yoko Saikawa, Kimiko Hashimoto, Masaya Nakata, Masato Yoshihara, Kiyoshi Nagai, Motoyasu Ida, Teruyuki Komiya

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The discussions highlight the fascinating aspects of hippo biology, with participants using phrases like 'natural sunscreen' and referring to 'the color change of hippo sweat' to spark curiosity. The tone is often humorous, as seen in jokes about hippos' behavior and their unique anatomical features, which keeps the dialogue light but engaging.

AgreementModerate agreement

Many participants express a general positivity about the publication and its findings.

InterestHigh interest

There's a noticeable excitement around hippos and their unique traits, reflecting strong curiosity.

EngagementModerate engagement

Some discussions delve into the scientific aspects of hippo biology, though most remain lighthearted.

ImpactHigh impact

Users perceive the findings as significant due to the unique properties of hippo sweat being compared to sunscreens.

Abstract in brief

The sweat of the hippopotamus starts as a colorless viscous liquid but quickly changes to red and then brown due to pigment polymerization.
Researchers have isolated and characterized these pigments, which are responsible for the color change.
The pigments found are nonbenzenoid aromatic compounds that exhibit unexpected properties, including acidity, antibiotic effects, and sunscreen activity.

Read the full abstract

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Hippopotamus Sweat: From Colorless to Red Pigment Transformation

The sweat of the hippopotamus begins as a colorless viscous liquid and quickly transitions to red and brown due to pigment polymerization. This video explores the fascinating pigments responsible for this color change…

Ze Frank · Mar 31, 2023 3,797,373 views

Understanding Hippopotamus Pigmentation and Classification

Why do we call hippos "river horses" when they resemble rhinos more? This video explores the unique pigment chemistry of hippos, diving into their color-changing sweat and its properties. Discover the fascinating links…

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Charlie Jizz ©℠

@rogueLDSpriest · X

https://t.co/1MmYlrP5Ln

Jun 4, 2025 · 259 followers View post →

Chase Schofield

@chaseskp66 · X

@Nasdorachi @AMAZlNGNATURE True, but having an internal sunblock works too, as shown here (specifically , at the 3:40 mark!): https://t.co/TZ6tQdqsBX

Mar 3, 2025 · 84 followers View post →

Islam773312

@Islam773312 · X

True Facts: Hippopotamus https://t.co/WCmAWrt1BY via @YouTube

Dec 14, 2024 · 1 like · 588 followers View post →

Way Chuang Ang

@NotSur3What · X

@cilisosmy I think you guys missed out the actual strength of hippo. They have their own portable bum wiper and bidet. https://t.co/7uDUKZrayK

Nov 14, 2024 · 29 followers View post →

wearerubber

@wearerubber · X

@InclementDeath @Iraqveteran8888 That's a load of hippo shit. https://t.co/U5TYKOKQbQ

Nov 9, 2024 · 2 likes · 121 followers View post →

Makhluk Halus

@suhadasambas · X

RT @AlamSemenit: Ditakuti Steve Dicintai Pablo #AlamSemenit https://t.co/bSw9ukJWgH via @YouTube https://t.co/pdkFBsEPCo

Oct 17, 2024 · 4 shares · 1,481 followers View post →

deki.r

@dekipdng · X

RT @AlamSemenit: Ditakuti Steve Dicintai Pablo #AlamSemenit https://t.co/bSw9ukJWgH via @YouTube https://t.co/pdkFBsEPCo

Oct 17, 2024 · 4 shares · 173 followers View post →

Blue

@kinoko_jamur · X

RT @AlamSemenit: Ditakuti Steve Dicintai Pablo #AlamSemenit https://t.co/bSw9ukJWgH via @YouTube https://t.co/pdkFBsEPCo

Oct 13, 2024 · 4 shares · 9 followers View post →

kangmassugik

@kangmassugik · X

Santai tapi gak benar2 santai, itulah Si Hippo! @AlamSemenit https://t.co/qU720iKXy8

Oct 12, 2024 · 482 followers View post →

_upilicious

@_upilicious · X

lucu banget kuda nil

Oct 12, 2024 · 998 followers View post →

uynu

@kadalawas · X

RT @AlamSemenit: Ditakuti Steve Dicintai Pablo #AlamSemenit https://t.co/bSw9ukJWgH via @YouTube https://t.co/pdkFBsEPCo

Oct 11, 2024 · 4 shares · 1 followers View post →

AlamSemenit

@AlamSemenit · X

Ditakuti Steve Dicintai Pablo #AlamSemenit https://t.co/bSw9ukJWgH via @YouTube https://t.co/pdkFBsEPCo

Oct 11, 2024 · 7 likes · 4 shares · 1,829 followers View post →

Dany Cervantes

@scantyrevery · X

@greg16676935420 https://t.co/7qUWV6SGbW

Sep 28, 2024 · 597 followers View post →

Andrew

@NameBuncha66146 · X

@imnotabotbiatch @lanechanged Forget the Rhino... It's Hippos you gotta see: https://t.co/p9WRqwU9Ej (Also how cute are these little emojis?

Jul 11, 2024 · 1 like · 308 followers View post →

Serres Julien

@SerresJulien13 · X

RT @caitcowie: If you like #hippos then you'll love our new episode of #TrueFacts: https://t.co/ZfMRy4SUde #hippopotamus #zefrank

Apr 19, 2024 · 1 share · 63 followers View post →

Andrew

@NameBuncha66146 · X

@Leolupus I think you would enjoy Zefrank's educational and hilarious hippo video. Watch this and thank me later, random internet stranger! https://t.co/F8OTM2wm51

Apr 8, 2024 · 1 like · 308 followers View post →

Josuke8Brazil

@Josuke8B · X

@bcanato https://t.co/G7bAcXmry2

Jan 22, 2024 · 156 followers View post →

SGT D

@M112173 · X

@angiebulkeley Ze Frank from True Facts on YouTube https://t.co/CVpJ5h8cvp

Dec 18, 2023 · 411 followers View post →

Pyrocrat

@pyrocrat · X

@nanashimumei_en Hippos are closer related to whales than to elephants.https://t.co/nGjrNfwTkU

Nov 16, 2023 · 15 followers View post →

Preteklis

@preteklis · X

@ArvisKolmanis @Snowtales Nākošais, ko skatīties, protams, ir šis. Arī gandrīz par nārām. Praktiski par nārām. Vārdsakot, noskaties. https://t.co/HfnZTzdRZ8

Nov 14, 2023 · 1 like · 2,680 followers View post →

Zorok The Dino

@ZorokTheDino · X

True Facts: Hippopotamus https://t.co/E9DdHyP9ik via @YouTube

Nov 10, 2023 · 101 followers View post →

Big Debbie

@tgorman83 · X

@frankensuppie https://t.co/1frtuMhol5

Oct 25, 2023 · 1 like · 292 followers View post →

Andrew

@AndrewD8Red · X

@DarkestFayth If you haven't watched Zefrank's videos on the hippo, then go and do it now. Right now. Stop reading! Go! Oh for crying out - fine, here's the link! Now GO!!! https://t.co/pCakOjNvlQ

Oct 10, 2023 · 124 followers View post →

⋆TყɳɳLყȥȥι⋆

@TynnLyzzi · X

the more you knoooooow https://t.co/N1tDpHFBL3

Sep 25, 2023 · 2,691 followers View post →

Resu

@useruid · X

@PhilipDerrida https://t.co/8Nvs1zM0bz

Aug 14, 2023 · 350 followers View post →

Rolo1995

@RVal1995 · X

Hippopotamus facts https://t.co/pBv3HZfREX

Jul 22, 2023 · 2,910 followers View post →

Margarida sfac

@margarida_sfac · X

True Facts: Hippopotamus https://t.co/VezemDEVyC via @YouTube

Jul 15, 2023 · 1 like · 418 followers View post →

anto - KPSS

@AntoVoidance · X

@glumirror lmao I'm sorry but I also thought of this

Jul 7, 2023 · 1 like · 1,461 followers View post →

Casey Hesson

@caseyhesson · X

@BryanBastin https://t.co/4rs13XgiET

Jun 30, 2023 · 330 followers View post →

Dawn Hernandez

@Have2doxies · X

True Facts: Hippopotamus https://t.co/5DINSKIuz4 via @YouTube

Jun 30, 2023 · 3,108 followers View post →

Valency Jarvis

@PsychNerdV · X

Jun 8, 2023 · 207 followers View post →

NX100

@Tx101NX · X

@AbiRatchford They create an entirely different biome by existing too: https://t.co/T01u2MNRkd

May 25, 2023 · 261 followers View post →

Holly Stump

@hstump · X

True Facts: Hippopotamus https://t.co/touE9SiTTm

May 17, 2023 · 911 followers View post →

Euphoniumism

@Euphoniumism1 · X

Damn! https://t.co/idhQ8oDuRa

May 15, 2023 · 1,499 followers View post →

Ms. Matter

@Pandoraaa76 · X

https://t.co/lLLN8xf2wu

May 8, 2023 · 467 followers View post →

Tired Gamer

@BokutouSamurai · X

@albatrossgolf91 Zefrank just covered hippos bro You should know this https://t.co/6n5ckgikDS

May 7, 2023 · 1 like · 203 followers View post →

Charlemagne the Ancient One-Can’t stream ATM

@CharlemagneOne · X

@EllcrysVT https://t.co/1KYalDj8rz

Apr 27, 2023 · 1 like · 521 followers View post →

Alicia the Nerd

@aloof_nerd · X

@ManonYSchutz Ok I have something for you. https://t.co/wVFWcVknGq

Apr 26, 2023 · 1 like · 2,123 followers View post →

David Church

@churchable75 · X

@soirchick https://t.co/7cYvTycEY8

Apr 23, 2023 · 1 like · 659 followers View post →

David Church

@churchable75 · X

@lord_campana https://t.co/7cYvTycEY8

Apr 23, 2023 · 659 followers View post →

Bad HIPPA Takes

@BadHippa · X

https://t.co/4X26odDx8q

Apr 15, 2023 · 3 likes · 23,795 followers View post →

ColostomyBague2

@ColostomyBague2 · X

https://t.co/M4FhCIRbrT i love this channel, he's funny

Apr 15, 2023 · 6,245 followers View post →

Spaceman Spliff

@Vulcan_hobo · X

Hippos literally take a wet shit and use their tail to fan it everywhere to scare away people with the smell. Almost as dumb as koala's. https://t.co/WPc7oEcrpv

Apr 13, 2023 · 1 like · 901 followers View post →

Zaka, When the Walls Fell

@zmiller1902 · X

RT @TomHoltzPaleo: True Facts: Hippopotamus https://t.co/W8e71Q93G7 via @YouTube

Apr 11, 2023 · 2 shares · 746 followers View post →

WatchingWolf

@VVatchVVolf · X

True Facts: Hippopotamus https://t.co/sajNLPbxPp via @YouTube

Apr 9, 2023 · 118 followers View post →

Shipwreck

@markthesnark2 · X

https://t.co/ltXBk7kpUS @Exasperatus1 @karenshubris

Apr 6, 2023 · 1 like · 3,704 followers View post →

Flat Lad

@megalodongle · X

Perhaps it's Circumstance devided by Necessity. https://t.co/qqAgmUnnyF

Apr 6, 2023 · 376 followers View post →

Whip0fAlchemy

@Whip0fAlchemy · X

Learn About Why I Still Fight Myself On Ever Being Okays With Hippos

Apr 4, 2023 · 295 followers View post →

Sean K Reynolds has moved to BlueSky

@seankreynolds · X

True Facts: Hippopotamus https://t.co/ULI9PS9zu5 via @YouTube

Apr 4, 2023 · 3 likes · 5,693 followers View post →

Proton Glitch

@ProtonGlitch · X

Ze Frank: a true video/internet content creation pioneer, & still at the top of his stride. I laughed my tuchus off through this entire video. https://t.co/WnVToU3MPm

Apr 4, 2023 · 207 followers View post →

onionrings

@123onionrings · X

@yes_vaseline https://t.co/KcvZwTxbLB I'll leave this true fact about hippos here.

Apr 4, 2023 · 724 followers View post →

Rebecca O'Donnell

@Nsecurityaddict · X

True Facts: Hippopotamus https://t.co/iyrHslbCak via @YouTube

Apr 3, 2023 · 1,225 followers View post →

Improper Ideology TMGLost

@TMGLost · X

@thisdaypod Just by chance, @zefrank happened to drop a mere 3 days ago... https://t.co/FvBvNGRc9Q #IWantaHippopotamus

Apr 3, 2023 · 1 like · 855 followers View post →

Caitlin Cowie

@caitcowie · X

If you like #hippos then you'll love our new episode of #TrueFacts: https://t.co/ZfMRy4SUde #hippopotamus #zefrank

Apr 3, 2023 · 2 likes · 1 share · 15 followers View post →

Marcos K. Pinheiro / "Marcos Wyvern" (Marcosaurus)

@BongMarcosaurus · X

RT @TomHoltzPaleo: True Facts: Hippopotamus https://t.co/W8e71Q93G7 via @YouTube

Apr 3, 2023 · 2 shares · 1,006 followers View post →

Thomas R. Holtz, Jr.

@TomHoltzPaleo · X

True Facts: Hippopotamus https://t.co/W8e71Q93G7 via @YouTube

Apr 3, 2023 · 7 likes · 2 shares · 31,839 followers View post →

Pat Kil

@Kilcline8406 · X

@michaelmalice @zefrank https://t.co/aPlBERtUF4

Apr 3, 2023 · 98 followers View post →

Jill Moffitt

@MoffittJill · X

Ze Frank never disappoints...but... Hippo porn??? https://t.co/cvJYV4hlzJ

Apr 2, 2023 · 11,136 followers View post →

Carrie Sumner

@CarrieSumnerArt · X

@tara_atrandom True Facts: Hippopotamus https://t.co/jvTgbBs1OJ via @YouTube

Apr 2, 2023 · 127 followers View post →

Youtube

@YTCanadaTrends · X

14. True Facts: Hippopotamus https://t.co/zXgQBfEEVo

Apr 2, 2023 · 40 followers View post →

Molly Blue Dawn

@WhatMollySaid · X

True Facts: Hippopotamus by @zefrank (I know he's not using Twitter anymore. I will also spout this on Spoutible at https://t.co/4Vp8k8E8ZO ) https://t.co/95fY9Tahp7

Apr 1, 2023 · 2,807 followers View post →

Mr. Nobody

@SameerAkeel · X

Apr 1, 2023 · 563 followers View post →

Sami

@Schamsung · X

True Facts: Hippopotamus https://t.co/snBBUkqBl0 via @YouTube

Apr 1, 2023 · 519 followers View post →

Scott Desavouret

@Desavouret · X

True Facts: Hippopotamus https://t.co/jGA07tiFGx via @YouTube

Apr 1, 2023 · 934 followers View post →

JC Punongbayan

@jcpunongbayan · X

Funny af. @zefrank https://t.co/O6Hvy2DLkH

Apr 1, 2023 · 1 like · 88,324 followers View post →

Sean Newboy

@SeanNewboy · X

True Facts: Hippopotamus https://t.co/3BXy0BfAB8 via @YouTube

Apr 1, 2023 · 4,874 followers View post →

びーふぁ。@Be-fa

@InazumaSakuraTF · X

https://t.co/XaMy9N5x4G

Apr 1, 2023 · 1,966 followers View post →

veganlovebunny

@veganlovebunny · X

@RiverWardRiley @AgMuseum Um... https://t.co/GSq92wf2cp

Apr 1, 2023 · 1 like · 1,379 followers View post →

Knusperfrosch

@schwanenwald · X

https://t.co/6St5mQOHXe

Apr 1, 2023 · 151 followers View post →

Adventures of a Geek

@aoaGEEK · X

@FearTheHippo you might enjoy this https://t.co/xKTWqnj0zJ

Apr 1, 2023 · 98 followers View post →

Diogenes of Santa Cruz - @hoplit.bsky.social

@hoplitnet · X

years on, the new ones are still hilarious! True Facts: Hippopotamus https://t.co/xgYXsxaegk

Apr 1, 2023 · 9,171 followers View post →

Youtube

@YTCanadaTrends · X

8. True Facts: Hippopotamus https://t.co/zXgQBfEEVo

Apr 1, 2023 · 40 followers View post →

FSF Max

@singleservemax · X

@iAmTheWarax Good evening, your nightly entertainment has arrived: https://t.co/KDIt54m4UO

Mar 31, 2023 · 3 likes · 4,580 followers View post →

Rajamic

@Rajamic99 · X

@tara_atrandom https://t.co/1GFoovNL5r

Mar 31, 2023 · 14 followers View post →

John Chawner

@jchawner · X

Hilarious, as always. True Facts: Hippopotamus https://t.co/665gjFZYVu via @YouTube

Mar 31, 2023 · 2,198 followers View post →

Crobrun

@crobruncato · X

@four4thefire https://t.co/x2TjeUn0lr

Mar 31, 2023 · 89 followers View post →

Foxy Loxeigh

@loxeigh · X

Hippos are closer related to whales than pigs.... huh. https://t.co/2dcqF9t1TK

Mar 31, 2023 · 2 likes · 345 followers View post →

John Stanley

@JohnStanle52000 · X

@RagDollie17 @JustTerrifying https://t.co/jnc7Oxmo9Q

Mar 31, 2023 · 1 followers View post →

Thorbjørn Laub Hansen

@LaubHansen · X

True Facts: Hippopotamus https://t.co/2XEt00o2wx via @YouTube

Mar 31, 2023 View post →

John Stanley

@JohnStanle52000 · X

@ValeLaurestine @JustTerrifying https://t.co/jnc7Oxmo9Q

Mar 31, 2023 · 1 like · 1 followers View post →

John Stanley

@JohnStanle52000 · X

@JustTerrifying https://t.co/jnc7Oxmo9Q

Mar 31, 2023 · 1 followers View post →

Mari Blair

@Maridblair · X

https://t.co/moTpsDOwNF

Mar 31, 2023 · 1 like · 983 followers View post →

JustinTyme (Absurdly Epic)

@justintyme · X

True Facts: Hippopotamus https://t.co/EUGHVOjZu8 via @YouTube

Mar 31, 2023 · 367 followers View post →

istemidr

@istemidr · X

True Facts: Hippopotamus https://t.co/cPwttJxtf7

Mar 31, 2023 · 26 followers View post →

Andreas Hämäläinen

@Hamalisk · X

@Nili_AoE Since you are a hippo fan you'll probably like this video released by Ze Frank today. https://t.co/q1uFzHvODP

Mar 31, 2023 · 1,698 followers View post →

adamludwick1

@adamludwick1 · X

@DocAhmadMalik Lions are pussies - be a hippo, they are genuine bad-asses. https://t.co/HnWhcE2dti

Mar 31, 2023 · 1 like · 440 followers View post →

OldStockFemale-NoGenders

@TweetingTNT · X

Mar 31, 2023 · 845 followers View post →

Rokku Haado

@LordRaa · X

Here, learn some facts about the hippopotamus. https://t.co/cZdKdUSKKD

Mar 31, 2023 · 482 followers View post →

Nathanaël Roux

@freeners · X

And that is just how the hippo do https://t.co/f0FSIJldIE

Mar 31, 2023 · 645 followers View post →

Hackett out.

@BarnBarnacle · X

Yes. Yes! YES! Zefrank on hippos! https://t.co/lN22XNi6DJ

Mar 31, 2023 · 1 like · 255 followers View post →

Ludwig Adorno

@Boavista_Ludwig · X

True Facts: Hippopotamus https://t.co/OBvpgdJU1j via @YouTube p.s the hippo is not a modest pooper

Mar 31, 2023 · 1,360 followers View post →

Sian Min The

@CPFtrainer · X

Entertaining science facts about the Hippopotamus https://t.co/EwDceeKOzR @WildEarth

Mar 31, 2023 · 71 followers View post →

RossCuth

@RossCuth · X

https://t.co/dg3H8G3uJA

Mar 31, 2023 · 598 followers View post →

Squatchwatcher

@squatchwatcher · X

True Facts: Hippopotamus https://t.co/1XX8Lcv2rI via @YouTube

Mar 31, 2023 · 276 followers View post →

cherre

@MillerCherre · X

True Facts: Hippopotamus https://t.co/7jzZ5RL4wp via @YouTube

Mar 31, 2023 · 491 followers View post →

ivacheung.com

@ivacheung.com · Bluesky

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pibJ83crQs

Mar 31, 2023 View post →

Maddie McNelis

@maddie_mcnelis · X

Jun 11, 2021 · 5 likes · 137 followers View post →

Richard Brock

@RBrockPhysics · X

@carlywarly1964 @IOPTeaching And here: https://t.co/rK39VlN6I6

Mar 19, 2021 · 1,276 followers View post →

Richard Brock

@RBrockPhysics · X

@carlywarly1964 @IOPTeaching Hi Carl, hipposudoric acid and norhipposudoric acid partially block radiation in the range 200-600 nm, with most of the absorption is in the UV region. See the spectra here: https://t.co/G1zOF4WKBo

Mar 19, 2021 · 1,276 followers View post →

Ixtab

@elduquec · X

Pigment chemistry: The red sweat of the hippopotamus https://t.co/0UL1aIUXhc

Jul 16, 2020 · 176 followers View post →

Adrian Chaplin

@chaplinlab · X

Fun (peer reviewed) fact of the day: Hippo sweat is a natural sunscreen https://t.co/rrbHzoJalH https://t.co/3w7XAh7mNN

Feb 17, 2020 · 7 likes · 1,286 followers View post →

Pigment chemistry: the red sweat of the hippopotamus.

Mentions per month

Where it's discussed

What people are saying

Abstract in brief

Top posts

All mentions

Hippopotamus Sweat: From Colorless to Red Pigment Transformation

Understanding Hippopotamus Pigmentation and Classification

The Great Wall of China: Construction and Historical Facts for 2023