Species Information

Historically, Hippopotamus have been found throughout all of subsaharan Africa, but most populations have been reduced or exterminated. Currently, the only large populations of hippos occur in the Nile river valley of East Africa.

The Hippo has naked, sensitive skin that loses water rapidly and must be protected from sun; it secretes a viscous fluid through pores in the skin that seems to serve as an antibiotic and sunblock rolled into one. Hippo tusks inflict terrible would during territorial battles between males.

A massive animal, it measures 1500mm in height at the shoulder and has a length of 4310-5160 mm, of which about 560mm is tail. The eyes and nostrils protrude, allowing the animal to see and breathe while otherwise submerged in the water.

Smooth, purple-brown skin lightens to pink in creases and underparts. And its feet have 4 webbed toes.

The hippopotamus is strictly a vegetarian.

They are extremely graceful in the water, despite their clumsy appearance on land. Their specific gravity allows them to sink to the bottom of rivers and literally walk or run along the bottom.

The hippos use their long canine teeth as weapons, and death often results from fighting between males. Most adult male hides are covered with scars from injuries incurred during such fights. Losing males are often relagated to a solitary existence.

The preferred habitat of this species is deep water with adjacent reed beds and grasslands.

The hippopotamus has been heavily hunted. In 1995 it was listed on CITES appendix II.

Information Source: Walker's Mammals of the World, Fourth Edition and the National Audubon Society Field Guide to African Wildlife