Hippopotamus, fondly called a hippo, is counted among the heaviest mammals in the terrestrial ecosystem, after elephants and rhinoceros - weighing around 1600 to 4500 kilograms. Their bodies are bulky and composed of highly dense muscles. These semiaquatic animals are commonly known as river horses as they spend most of their time in water to escape heat. They mostly stay in water wallowing in mud and come out at night to eat. Let’s learn more interesting facts about hippopotamus including their eating habits and habitat.

Physical Characteristics of Hippopotamus
Where does Hippopotamus Live
Eating Habits of Hippopotamus
How does Hippopotamus Sound
Interesting Facts about Hippopotamus

Physical Characteristics of Hippopotamus

The word Hippopotamus is derived from the ancient Greek words hippo means horse and potamos means river. Both words are joined together to form hippopotamus ‘horse of the river’. There are two different species of hippopotamus, one is the common large hippopotamus and the other one is the relatively small pygmy hippopotamus. These both species are semi-aquatic animals which are characterised by their barreled shaped torsos and wide opening mouth with large canine tusks. Their hairless bodies and short legs help them easily swim in water. Their enormous teeth and tusks allow them to protect themselves from dangers, including humans.

Where does Hippopotamus Live

The common hippopotamus is native to sub-Saharan Africa, inhabiting rivers, lakes and grasslands. The pygmy hippopotamus are native to tropical rainforest and swamps of west Africa. Today they are found in most of the African countries including Kenya, Uganda, and Botswana.

Eating Habits of Hippopotamus

Hippopotamus spend most of their time swimming in water and come out at night to eat. Rarely going far by a few kilometers from their place, they graze on grasses around riverbanks and floodplains. They eat a variety of food. Due to habitat destruction and poaching, their numbers have drastically decreased, and they are now more concentrated in national parks and protected areas.

How does Hippopotamus Sound

The hippopotamus produces remarkably different sounds such as honks, grunts and wheezes. They are the only mammals capable of amphibious communication which means that they can communicate both on land and under water. They use different sounds to communicate with each other hippopotamuses across the river and lakes. The noise of a group of honking hippopotamus can be heard from a distance of almost a mile. The call of a hippopotamus is very loud, measuring 115 decibels which is as loud as a rock concert. They often call each other at night when they are out of water for grazing.

Interesting Facts about Hippopotamus

The canine tusks of hippos can grow up to 50 inches and are primarily used for fighting other animals.
Hippopotamus release a red orangish liquid that protects their skin from UV rays of sun and keeps it moisturised.
While in water hippos can hold their breath for up to five minutes.
The eyes, nose and ears of hippos are located higher on the face of a hippopotamus and they can see, hear and breathe while being submerged in water.