Africa Wild

Hippopotamus - Hippopotamus amphibius

Type: Mammal
Diet: Herbivore (mostly)
Average life span in the wild: 40-50 years
Size: Height at shoulder, 1.5m, Length, 3-5m
Weight Male: 1,500 - 1,800 Kgs, Female 1,300 - 1,500 Kgs
Distribution: Sub-Saharan Africa
Heaviest land animal after the Elephant and Rhinoceros.
Name translates from ancient Greek for "river horse"
Closest living relative: Cetaceans (whales)


One of two existing species, the other being the Pygmy Hippopotamus which is found in the forests and swamps of West Africa.

Hippos spend most of the day in water to protect their sensitive skin from sunburn and emerge at night to feed. They can travel as much as 10Kms and consume around 65Kgs of grass each night. They have been known to eat carrion and cannibalism has been reported.

Hippos are unable to swim as they are negatively buoyant; they get around in water by walking or running along river or lake beds.

Gestation period is 8 months and produces a calf weighing about 45Kgs.

One of the most aggressive animals in Africa, it is thought to cause more human deaths than any other species.

Males are fiercely territorial and clashes between males can be extremely violent but usually end as soon as it is decided who is stronger. To mark their territory, males move their tails rapidly back and forth when defecating to distribute their dung over a wide area. Territorial males are also reported to kill Hippo calves that were not sired by them.

Nice choice BT and great pics!

Super pictures

A beautiful animal BluTuna and great photos

The gentle side of hippos
A mother and her calf. The calf was suckling







and the video

Great choice BT some interesting info

Beautifull photos everyone

good choice BluTuna

Hippos are one of the few mammals that give birth under water, like manatees.


(Taken in Kruger)


Within the pod, hippos tend to segregate by gender, bachelors with bachelors and females with females.


(Taken in Kruger)

Hippos manufacture their own sun screen.

They secrete a substance referred to as "blood sweat", though it is neither blood nor sweat. The secretion is initially colorless and turns red-orange within minutes, eventually becoming brown.

Two distinct pigments have been identified in this secretion, one red hipposudoric acid and one orange norhipposudoric acid. The light absorption of both pigments peaks in the ultraviolet range, thus creating a sunscreen effect.

All hippos, even those with different diets, secrete the pigment, so it does not appear that food is its source. Instead, the animals synthesize them from precursors such as amino acids.

Additionally, due to their highly acidic nature, these secretions afford further protection by inhibiting the growth of disease-causing bacteria.

Very interesting Exfmem