Wildlife
Hippopotamuses are found in Africa where they require habitats with water deep enough to protect them from overheating and sunburn. Despite their enormous bulk these aquatic mammals move with grace underwater, their specific gravity allows them to sink and literally run along the bottom. When on land, they can also be surprisingly nimble and speedy, but it’s the battles between males where their power is best demonstrated, since these bloody competitions often result in death.
Scientific name: Hippopotamus amphibius
Rank: Species
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Leadership challenge
Ultra-slow motion captures mighty male hippos in a dangerous challenge.
If he is to stand any chance of breeding, a wandering hippo must challenge the one male that controls all the females on that stretch of the Luangwe river. But the harem-owner isn't about to relinquish control without a very big fight. But will it be a fight to the finish?
Curious hippos
While the adults snooze, young hippos meet their toothy neighbours.
While the adults snooze, young hippos meet their toothy neighbours.
Ice age safari
What were African plains animals doing roaming around ice age Britain?
What were African plains animals doing roaming around ice age Britain?
Parental choice
Competing instincts are precariously balanced for a hippo mum.
Competing instincts are precariously balanced for a hippo mum.
Hippo safety
The best way to be safe around hippos is to simply give way to them.
The best way to be safe around hippos is to simply give way to them.
Species range provided by WWF's Wildfinder.
The Hippopotamus can be found in a number of locations including: Africa. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.
The following habitats are found across the Hippopotamus distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Vulnerable
Population trend: Decreasing
Year assessed: 2008
Classified by: IUCN 3.1
The hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), or hippo, from the ancient Greek for "river horse" (ἱπποπόταμος), is a large, mostly herbivorous mammal in sub-Saharan Africa, and one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae (the other is the pygmy hippopotamus). After the elephant and rhinoceros, the hippopotamus is the third largest type of land mammal and the heaviest extant artiodactyl. Despite their physical resemblance to pigs and other terrestrial even-toed ungulates, their closest living relatives are cetaceans (whales, porpoises, etc.) from which they diverged about 55 million years ago. The common ancestor of whales and hippos split from other even-toed ungulates around 60 million years ago. The earliest known hippopotamus fossils, belonging to the genus Kenyapotamus in Africa, date to around 16 million years ago.
The hippopotamus is semi-aquatic, inhabiting rivers, lakes and mangrove swamps, where territorial bulls preside over a stretch of river and groups of 5 to 30 females and young. During the day, they remain cool by staying in the water or mud; reproduction and childbirth both occur in water. They emerge at dusk to graze on grass. While hippopotamuses rest near each other in the water, grazing is a solitary activity and hippos are not territorial on land. Hippos are recognizable by their barrel-shaped torso, enormous mouth and teeth, nearly hairless body, stubby legs and tremendous size. They are the third largest type of land mammal by weight (between 1½ and 3 tonnes): the only heavier species on average are the white and Indian rhinoceroses, typically 1½ to 3½ tonnes, and the elephants, typically weighing 3 to 9 tonnes. The hippopotamus is one of the largest quadrupeds and, despite its stocky shape and short legs, it can easily outrun a human. Hippos have been clocked at 30 km/h (19 mph) over short distances. The hippopotamus is one of the most aggressive creatures in the world and is regarded as one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. Nevertheless, they are still threatened by habitat loss and poaching for their meat and ivory canine teeth.
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Flooded grassland
Lakes and ponds
Rivers and streams
Tropical dry forest
Tropical grassland
Rainforest
Predation defence
Adapted to swimming
Hierarchical
Acoustic communication
Herbivorous
Maternal care
Nocturnal
Polygynous
Social
Scavenger
Chemical communication
Visual communication
Viviparous