Species · GBIF taxon 2441247
Common Hippopotamus
Hippopotamus amphibiusAlso known as Nile Hippopotamus, River Hippopotamus, Hippo
Common hippopotamuses spend their days submerged in rivers and lakes to keep their sensitive skin cool, emerging at night to graze on short grasses. They live in loose social groups called pods, led by a dominant bull who aggressively defends his stretch of water. Despite their bulky frames, they can run surprisingly fast on land and navigate underwater currents with remarkable grace.
SemiaquaticMegafaunaTerritorial
Licensed referenceMuhammad Mahdi Karim / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Short Grasses
- Forbs
Predators
- Lions
- Nile Crocodiles
- Humans
ThreatsHabitat loss, poaching for ivory and meat, and human-wildlife conflict
HabitatsRivers, lakes, swamps, and adjacent grasslands
Life span40 to 50 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyHippopotamidae
- SpeciesHippopotamus amphibius
Native
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Highly territorial and unpredictable; maintain a safe distance of at least 100 meters on land or water.
- Why it is dangerous
- Equipped with massive canine tusks and immense jaw pressure, they can easily crush boats and inflict fatal wounds when defending their territory.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for nostrils, eyes, and ears breaking the water surface, or listen for loud, resonant honks and grunts.
- What to do
- Never approach them in a boat or on foot; if a hippo charges, seek elevated ground or climb a tree.
- What to notice
- Recognizable by their barrel-shaped bodies, hairless grey skin, and massive heads.
- Support conservation
- Support local conservation initiatives and avoid purchasing any products made from hippo ivory.
Responsible observation
- Keep Distance: Never get between a hippo and deep water, as they will charge to reach safety.
- Watch for Yawns: A wide-open mouth is not a sign of sleepiness but a territorial threat display.
- Avoid Waterways at Dusk: Stay clear of riverbanks in the evening when they leave the water to graze.
Frequent Companion Dewet / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
Symbiont 
Close Relative Bardrock / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.