Hippopotamus (Hippos) Weight, Diet, Teeth, Nose, Weight in Kg, & more

Hippopotamus: Discover everything about the hippopotamus – size, diet, danger level, pygmy hippo, conservation status, and the best safari destinations in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania & more to see hippos up close.

The hippopotamus, commonly called the “hippo,” is one of Africa’s most iconic yet misunderstood animals. With the scientific name Hippopotamus amphibius (meaning “river horse”), this massive semi-aquatic mammal plays a vital role in shaping African waterways while earning a fearsome reputation as one of the continent’s deadliest creatures. Whether you’re searching for hippopotamus facts, hippo animal information, or planning a safari, this complete guide covers everything you need to know.

Physical Characteristics of the Hippopotamus

The common hippopotamus is the third-largest land mammal after elephants and white rhinos. Adult males can reach 5 meters (16.5 ft) in length and stand 1.5 meters (5 ft) at the shoulder.

Hippo weight varies dramatically:

Males: 1,500–3,200 kg (3,300–7,000 lbs)
Females: 1,300–2,700 kg (2,800–6,000 lbs)

Their barrel-shaped bodies are supported by short, stocky legs, yet they are surprisingly agile both in water and on land. The thick skin (up to 5 cm on the back) is greyish-brown with a pinkish hue around the eyes and ears.

One of their most remarkable adaptations? Hippos secrete a reddish oily fluid nicknamed “blood sweat” that acts as natural sunscreen and antibiotic.

Hippopotamus teeth: The lower canines and incisors grow into huge tusks—up to 50–65 cm (20–26 in) long and weighing several kilograms each. These ivory-like teeth are sharper than a lion’s canines and are used primarily for fighting, not eating.

Hippopotamus nose: Large nostrils positioned on the top of the snout can close tightly when the animal is submerged, allowing hippos to remain almost completely underwater while still breathing when they surface.

Hippopotamus Behavior and Lifestyle

Despite their bulky appearance, hippos are highly adapted to a semi-aquatic lifestyle. During the day, they lounge in rivers and lakes to keep cool and protect their sensitive skin from the sun. At dusk, they leave the water to graze on land for 4–5 hours, consuming up to 40–68 kg (88–150 lbs) of grass nightly.

Hippos are extremely territorial in water. Dominant males defend stretches of river, announcing their presence with dramatic yawns, roaring “wheeze-honks,” and spraying dung in helicopter-like fashion. On land, however, they are far less aggressive.

Socially, hippos live in groups called pods, bloats, or schools (typically 10–30 animals, sometimes up to 200). A dominant male presides over females and young, while subordinate males form bachelor groups.

Hippopotamus sound: The famous “wheeze-honk” or deep roaring grunt can be heard over long distances. Underwater, they produce clicks and amplified grunts that travel through water better than air.

Hippopotamus speed: Despite their bulk, hippos can reach 30 km/h (19 mph) on land over short distances—faster than an average human—and gallop along river bottoms even quicker.

Are Hippos Friendly to Humans?

No. Hippos are not friendly to humans. They are extremely territorial (especially bulls in water) and unpredictable. Even seemingly calm hippos can charge without warning. They are responsible for around 500 human deaths annually in Africa—more than lions, elephants, and buffalo combined.

Habitat & Distribution – Where Do Hippos Live?

Hippos are found only in sub-Saharan Africa. Historically widespread, their range has shrunk dramatically. Today, the largest populations remain in East and Southern Africa, particularly:

Uganda
Tanzania
Kenya
Zambia
Botswana
South Africa
Democratic Republic of Congo

They require permanent freshwater – rivers, lakes, swamps, and estuaries – with nearby grasslands for grazing. The Nile River, Lake Tanganyika, Zambezi, and Okavango Delta host some of the densest populations.

Hippopotamus Diet and Feeding Habits

Hippos are strict herbivores. Despite their menacing canines, they eat only grass (mostly short varieties near water). They rarely eat aquatic plants and almost never consume meat (except in extremely rare documented cases).

An adult hippo eats about 1–1.5% of its body weight nightly – far less than elephants or rhinos relative to size – thanks to their low-energy lifestyle and efficient digestive system.

Do hippopotamus eat meat?

No—hippos do not eat meat under normal circumstances. There are extremely rare documented cases of hippos scavenging carcasses or eating meat when severely stressed or sick, but this is highly abnormal behavior. Their digestive system and teeth are designed exclusively for plant matter.

Are Hippos Dangerous?

Yes—extremely. Their combination of size, hippopotamus weight in kg (up to 3,200 kg), hippopotamus speed (30 km/h on land), massive hippopotamus teeth, and aggressive temperament makes them one of Africa’s deadliest animals.

Why are hippos so dangerous?

Fierce territorial defense in water
Surprising speed: up to 30 km/h (19 mph) on land for short bursts – faster than most humans
Enormous strength and 50 cm tusks
Unpredictable temperament

Most hippo attacks occur when humans unknowingly block escape routes to deep water or come between a mother and calf.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Female hippos (cows) reach sexual maturity at 5–6 years, males at 7–8 years. Mating and birth both occur in water. Gestation lasts 8 months – one of the longest in the animal kingdom.

A single calf (rarely twins) weighing 25–50 kg is born underwater and must swim to the surface within seconds to take its first breath. Calves nurse underwater by closing ears and nostrils. Mothers are fiercely protective, often resting calves on their backs to keep them safe.

Hippos can live 40–50 years in the wild, up to 61 in captivity.

Types of Hippopotamus

There are two living species:

Common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) – the massive, gregarious “river horse” described above.
Pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis) – a shy, forest-dwelling species found only in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire. Adults weigh just 180–275 kg and stand 75–100 cm tall – about the size of a large pig.

Hippos and Their Role in the Ecosystem

Far from lazy, hippos are ecosystem engineers:

Their pathways create channels that prevent rivers from silting up
Dung fertilizes waterways, boosting fish populations (benefiting crocodiles and birds)
Night grazing maintains short-grass lawns that benefit smaller grazers

In many African rivers, removing hippos would fundamentally alter the entire ecosystem.

Conservation Status and Threats

The IUCN lists the common hippopotamus as Vulnerable. Population has declined 30–50% over the past few decades. Major threats:

Habitat loss from dams and agriculture
Poaching for meat and ivory-like teeth
Human-wildlife conflict

Pygmy hippos are Endangered with fewer than 2,500 remaining.

Best Places to See Hippos in Africa

Uganda – Queen Elizabeth National Park (Kazinga Channel boat safaris – often 100+ hippos visible) & Murchison Falls NP
Tanzania – Serengeti (Retima Hippo Pool), Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous), Katavi NP
Kenya – Maasai Mara (Mara River – especially during Great Migration)
Zambia – South Luangwa & Lower Zambezi National Parks
Botswana – Okavango Delta (mokoro & boat safaris)
South Africa – iSimangaliso Wetland Park & Kruger NP
Zimbabwe – Mana Pools National Park

Uganda stands out as one of the best countries in Africa for hippo viewing, with some of the highest densities on the continent.

Amazing & Fun Hippo Facts

Hippos can’t actually swim – they gallop along the river bottom
Their “blood sweat” is red/orange and protects against sunburn
They can hold their breath underwater for up to 5 minutes
A group of hippos is called a bloat, pod, herd, or dale
Hippo milk is pink
They communicate with grunts that carry underwater
Newborn calves can suckle underwater
Despite their size, hippos can outrun humans on land

Hippos vs Other African Giants

Hippo vs Crocodile: While crocs occasionally prey on calves, adult hippos dominate and sometimes kill crocodiles
Hippo vs Rhino: Similar weight, but rhinos are solitary and thick-skinned for land battles
Hippo vs Elephant: Elephants are larger and usually avoid confrontation

FAQs about Hippopotamus

Q: Are hippos dangerous to humans?

A: Yes – they are responsible for more human deaths in Africa than any other large animal.

Q: Can hippos swim?

A: No, they are too dense. They walk or bounce along the bottom and can hold their breath for 5 minutes.

Q: How fast can a hippo run?

A: Up to 30 km/h (19 mph) over short distances – faster than most people.

Q: What is a group of hippos called?

A: A bloat, pod, herd, or school.

Q: How long do hippos live?

A: 40–50 years in the wild.

Q: Why do hippos have red sweat?

A: It’s a natural sunscreen and antibiotic called “hipposudoric acid.”

Come See Hippos in Uganda with All Uganda Safaris

There is simply no substitute for experiencing hippos in the wild. And there is no better place on Earth than Uganda.

Imagine drifting silently along the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park at sunrise – dozens of hippos yawning, grunting, and splashing just meters away while elephants drink on the shore behind you. Or watching hundreds of hippos in Murchison Falls National Park as the Nile explodes through a 7-meter gorge.

At All Uganda Safaris, we specialize in intimate, expert-guided wildlife experiences that bring you closer to hippos than you ever thought possible – safely and responsibly.

Whether you dream of boat safaris, walking safaris, or combining hippos with gorilla trekking and the Big Five, our custom Uganda safaris are designed to create memories that last a lifetime.

Book your Uganda hippo safari today with All Uganda Safaris – where every journey supports local communities and conservation.