African Common Hippopotamus

Common Hippopotamus

(Hippopotamus amphibius)

Current all time records
SCI: Score 88 3/16 - Zimbabwe, Dande - 4/86
Rowland Ward: Score 64 1/2 - Congo - 1933

Description: The back is a purplish grey-brown, with the undersides pinkish. There are patches of pink on the face, especially around the eyes, ears, and cheeks. The hide is virtually hairless, and is moistened by mucous glands which secrete a reddish liquid. The body is bulky and barrel-like, and is supported by stubby legs. The large, wide head has the eyes, nostrils and ears set on the top, allowing them to remain above water while the hippo is submerged. The mouth is widely split and can be opened extremely wide, exposing the canines, which are large and curved.

Other Common Names:

Size:

Range: Most lakes and waterways south of the Sahara except where exterminated ( i.e., Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and small areas of western Africa); primarily April - October.

Natural History: The river hippopotamus was described by Linnaeus in 1758. Despite their placid and clumsy appearance, river hippos can be aggressive towards humans, and their are many reports of small boats being overturned and their occupants being bitten to death. Hippos (or crocodiles, depending on who you talk to) are said to kill more people in Africa than any other animal.

The river hippopotamus spends most of the day wallowing, resting, and swimming in or near water. At night, they emerge from the water to graze. Hippos will graze about 3 kilometers / 1.8 miles from water, although some individuals move farther inland. An individual may walk 10 kilometers / 6 miles to seek food on land, spending an average of 5-6 hours on land per night. Despite their bulk, they can run extremely fast. The river hippo's daily consumption is 1-1.5 percent of its body weight, compared to an average of 2.5 percent for most other ungulates. Hippos swim and dive well, and their specific gravity allows them to walk along the bottom. When submerged, they can seal off their slit-like nostrils and ears. The shape of their head is muck like that of a frog, and allows them to keep their eyes and nostrils above the surface, while keeping the rest of their body submerged. Hippopotamuses usually remain submerged for 3-5 minutes, though they can stay below for up to 30 minutes. Population densities vary, and can be as great as 31 animals per square kilometer. Adult males defend narrow territories which consist of water and the adjacent land. Both sexes are very aggressive - males defending their territory may kill another hippo nearby when courting females, and females join together to protect their offspring. The hippos major weapon is the set of large, sharp lower canines which, in males, may grow to 0.5 m / 1.5 feet long. The main vocalizations are a "wheeze-honk" and a roar.

Hunting Characteristics: