Geographic Range

Hippopotamusi (Hippopotamus amphibius) are found exclusively in the Ethiopian region of

the world. Hippos occur in rivers throughout the savanna of Africa and the main rivers of
Central Africa. Known populations are found in countries including: Angola, Benin, northern
Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, southern Chad, Côte
d’Ivoire, northern Eritrea, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea,
Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of
Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa (only in northern and eastern
Limpopo Province, eastern Mpumalanga Province, and northern KwaZulu-Natal), Sudan,
Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. (Estes, 1992; Lewison and
Oliver, 2008; Pushkina, 2007; Stevenson-Hamilton, 1912)

Habitat

Hippos are a semi-aquatic mammal, usually inhabiting shallow lakes, rivers, and swamps.
The water must be deep enough for the hippo to submerge its entire body in; usually water
about 2 meters deep is preferred. During the daytime, herds prefer to sleep in shallow water,
or occasionally on a mud bank, grouped closely together. It is in these waters that mating and
childbirth occurs. When shallow waters are not present hippos reside in deeper water, leaving
only their nostrils above the surface to breathe. Hippos emerge from water at dusk and go
ashore to feed, and travel individually down familiar paths usually less than 1.6 km to dense,
grassy grazing areas along the banks of the water. ("Hippopotamus", 2011; Estes, 1992;
Lewison and Oliver, 2008; Roomer, 1872; Stevenson-Hamilton, 1912)
 DESCRIPTION OF HIPPOS BODY SIZE

Physical Description

Weighing between 1,300 and 3,200 kg, hippopotamusi measure between 209 and 505 cm in
length, including a tail of about 35 cm in length. They stand between 150 and 165 cm tall.
Hippopotami have skin tones of a purple gray or slate color, with brownish pink coloring
around their eyes and ears. Their bodies are covered with a scarce amount of thin hair, except
for thick bristle like hair on their heads and tails. Outer epidermal skin layers are extremely
thin, making them vulnerable to wounds from fighting. ("Hippopotamus", 2011; Coughlin
and Fish, 2009; Nott, 1886; Roomer, 1872; Stevenson-Hamilton, 1912)

Hippos lack scent and sweat glands. Instead, mucous glands secrete a thick oily layer of red
pigmented fluid. For years this fluid was thought to be a mixture of blood and sweat, giving it
the nickname “blood sweat.” It is now known that this fluid is a combination of hipposudoric
acid and norhipposudoric acid. These compounds create a sunscreen effect by absorbing ultra
violet rays from the sun and prevent the growth of disease causing bacteria. The secretion
originates colorless and turns an orange-red within minutes of being exposed to the sun.
("Hippopotamus", 2011; Coughlin and Fish, 2009; Nott, 1886; Roomer, 1872; Stevenson-
Hamilton, 1912)

Bulky and barrel-shaped, it would seem hippos would be clumsy on both land and
water. However, adaptations to their semi-aquatic environments have allowed them to move
swiftly on both water and land. On land, they are able to move at speeds up to 30 km per hour
and can maintain these speeds for several hundred meters. In shallow waters their short legs
provide powerful propulsion through water, while their webbed feet allow them to navigate
on shallow river bottoms. Placement of eyes, ears, and nostrils high on their head allows them
to remain mostly submerged while still being able to breathe and stay aware of their
surroundings. When completely submerging, the nostrils close and ears fold to prevent water
from entering them. The jaws of hippopotamusi are capable of opening up to 150 degrees,
showing enormous, sharp, incisors and canine tusks. Canines grow to 50 cm and incisors
grow to 40 cm, sharpening themselves as they grind their mouths together during grazing.
("Hippopotamus", 2011; Coughlin and Fish, 2009; Nott, 1886; Roomer, 1872; Stevenson-
Hamilton, 1912)
 Sexual dimorphism is present in hippopotami. Males tend to be about 200 kg larger
than females at maturity, but can grow to be almost several thousand kg larger with age.
Males appear to continue growing throughout their life, while females reach their maximum
weight around age 25. Males reach a maximum length of about 505 cm long, while females
usually only reach around 345 cm. The largest hippo ever recorded was a captive male hippo
in Munich, Germany, weighing 4,500 kg. Aside from size, male muzzles are larger and have
a more developed jowl area than females. Tusks are also twice as long in males than in
females. ("Hippopotamus", 2011; Coughlin and Fish, 2009; Nott, 1886; Roomer, 1872;
Stevenson-Hamilton, 1912)
Reproduction

Hippopotami are polygynous, meaning that one bull mates with several females in the social
group. Although breeding is not strictly seasonal, conception usually occurs during the dry
season, between February and August, and births usually occur during the rainy season,
between October and April. (Estes, 1992; Roomer, 1872; Stevenson-Hamilton, 1912; de
Magalhaes and Costa, 2009)
 Descriptive Of Hippos Body Size

The hippopotamus is a semi-aquatic ungulate found in sub-Saharan Africa. It lives in lakes

and slow-moving rivers surrounded by grasslands.

Hippopotamuses measure 3-4 meters in length and weigh more than 3 tons. Four webbed toes
on each foot support their immense bodies.

Their eyes, ears and nostrils are positioned on top of their heads, allowing hippos to remain
aware of their surroundings while almost entirely submerged in water. A clear membrane that
covers their eyes allows hippos to see underwater.

They can also close their nostrils and hold their breath underwater for as long as five minutes.
Hippos secrete a red fluid that is often mistaken for blood, but instead protects their skin from
the sun.

Their hide is gray and thick with very few hairs. A flat tail allows males, or bulls, to mark
their territory by flinging and spreading their dung.