Hippopotamus - African Animals
Description and Characteristics:
There are two species of hippopotamuses; the Pygmy Hippo which is the smaller
species, standing about waist-high to an adult human, and the river or common
hippopotamus. The common/river hippopotamus which is world's third largest and
heaviest land animals, weighing up to about 4,000 kg.
Both species of hippos have barrel-shaped bodies, short stocky legs, and
smooth almost hairless skin. Their heads appear outsized with unusually broad
mouths and their facial features resemble those of a pig. Hippos have a short,
tufted tail
Hippos have thin skin that dies out quickly - they secrete a pinkish coloured
oil that helps them keep their skin moist in the hot African climate. Hippos
spend most of their days in the water or wallowing in the mud, generally coming
up on land to feed at night.
River hippos are one of the most feared animals in southern Africa. It is
claimed that every year more people are killed by them than by any other African
animal
Out of water, Hippos are surprisingly fast runners; a fully grown river hippo
can run 30 km/h for a few hundred yards.
Feeding/drinking Habits:
Hippos are Herbivores, preferring short grasses of the African plains. Their
muscular lips are almost 70 cms wide which makes them extremely efficient
grazers. They generally feed during the night, grazing for up to 5 hours before
returning to the water.
Habitat:
The Pygmy hippo lives in West Africa's forest belt, primarily in Liberia and
Côte d’Ivoire and spends more of its time near water rather than
in it, and dives beneath the water surface only when in imminent danger of
attack.
The common hippopotamus is found in western, central, eastern and southern
parts of Africa, living in lakes and rivers near grasslands, usually where
the water is deep and slow-flowing.
Size & Lifespan
Male hippos are generally larger and heavier than females. Common Hippos range
from 3.96 to 4.57 mtrs long, standing 1.52 mtrs at the shoulder height and
weighing between 1,800 to 3,600 kgs. They live for up to anywhere between
20 to 40 years in the wild. Whilst Pygmy hippos grow to about 1.75 m long,
and have a maximum weight of about 275 kg
Reproduction:
Males reach sexual maturity at 7 years and females at 9 years. Mating always
occurs in water during the dry season. Hippos have a gestation period of about
7 months and usually birth is given to a single calf during the start of the
raining season. River hippos of the give birth usually in shallow water therefore
calves are able to swim from birth. The average birthing interval is about
2 years
Predators and Threats:
Pygmy Hippos are very rare in the wild, with hunting and deforestation having
declined their numbers over recent years. Hippo calves are vulnerable to attack
by lions and hyenas on land and by crocodiles in the water. People hunt hippos
for their meat and hide and also for their tusks, which are sold as ivory
and also because they are potentially dangerous and destructive particularly
in areas where crops are grown.
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