Hippopotamus Facts | Hippo Information - Animal Fact Guide

Hippos are one of the heaviest land mammals in the world! Photo by pjmalsbury / iStock.com.

Sub-Saharan Africa is the home to the one of the heaviest land mammals in the world — the hippopotamus.

Their dense bodies make it impossible for them to swim, even though they spend most of their time in the water.

Life in the Water

Hippos have several adaptations that are beneficial to life in the water. Their eyes, ears and nostrils are located at the top of their head, so they are able to see, hear, and breathe while mostly submerged.

When hippos are underwater, they tap their feet on the ground to propel themselves. Photo by morgan23 / iStock.com

A clear membrane covers and protects their eyes while allowing them to see underwater. Their nostrils close to keep water out, and they can hold their breath for several minutes.

Staying underwater helps the hippo not feel the weight of its hulking frame. They can weigh up to 3600 kg (8000 lb.)!

Under the water, hippos tap their feet along the ground to propel themselves. Being submerged for the most part of the day also helps keep the hippo cool and protected from the sun.

Blood-Sweat

When they do venture out of the water for a significant amount of time, hippos secrete a red-colored substance to cool their hairless skin. The secretion is referred to as ‘blood-sweat’ but is actually neither of those fluids.

Hippopotamus Teeth

Hippos have 36 teeth, including four large tusks at the front of their lower jaw. Their tusks are modified canine teeth, which can grow up to 50 cm (20 in.) in length!

Hippo fight in the Luangwa River, Zambia. Photo by Dennis Stogsdill / iStock.com.

Hippos use their tusks to defend against other hippos.

What Hippos Eat

In the evening, hippopotamuses leave the water to feed. As herbivores, they feed on short grass for 6 hours a night consuming up to 68 kg (150 lb.) of vegetation.

They may travel several kilometers to reach an adequate grazing area.

A hippo grazing on grass with a cattle egret nearby. Photo by 2630ben / iStock.com.

Comical Character or Dangerous Animal?

While many people view the hippopotamus as a harmless and comic character, this is not actually the truth. In reality, the hippopotamus is a very dangerous creature.

Hippos have powerful jaws and sharp teeth that can crush a crocodile or split a boat in two!

Social Life

Groups of 10-30 hippos live together with one dominant male. A group of hippos can be called a herd, pod, or bloat!

Hippos huddle together in the Mara River, Masai Mara, Kenya. A group of hippos is called a herd, pod, or bloat! Photo by Rixipix / iStock.com.

Hippos are territorial animals, and male hippos mark their territory with their poop. They wag and spin their tails around, flinging poop far and wide!

Reproduction

During the dry season, the dominant male chooses a partner, and then the other males fight each other for the remaining females.

After an eight-month gestation period, at the height of the wet season, female hippos give birth to one calf at a time, either on land or underwater.

Afterwards, mothers leave the herd for a short period of time to bond with their calves underwater.

Mother hippo and calf. Photo by through-my-lens / iStock.com.

After a few weeks, the calves finally exit the water to feed on grass.

In the wild, hippos typically live about 40 years.

Conservation Status

Hippos are listed by IUCN’s Red List as vulnerable due to loss of habitat. Hippopotamus habitats are infringed upon by humans, who use their grazing land for farming and also divert water for farming needs.

War in the regions that hippos inhabit has also wreaked havoc on hippopotamus populations. Finally, poachers kill hippos for their ivory tusks and for sport.

What You Can Do to Help

If you’d like to help hippos, avoid buying products made from their tusks. Encourage others to boycott these products as well.

Hippopotamus Range

Hippos live in sub-Saharan Africa.

Hippo Resources

• Sea World – Animal Bytes
• San Diego Zoo

Quick Fact Sheet

Common Name(s): Hippopotamus, Common Hippopotamus, Hippo

Scientific Name: Hippopotamus amphibius

Animal Type: mammal

Size: 3-5 m (10-16.5 feet) long

Weight: Up to 3600 kg (8000 lb.)

Lifespan: 40 years

Conservation Status: Vulnerable

About the Author

P.A. Smith is a middle school Language Arts teacher. He is also a contributing editor of My House Rabbit.

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