Common Hippopotamus
Hippopotamus amphibius
Common Hippopotamus: Large herbivore of rivers and wetlands.
| Scientific name | Hippopotamus amphibius |
|---|---|
| Swahili name | Kiboko |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Hippopotamidae |
| Size | Male: 1500-1800 kg; Female: 1300-1500 kg |
How to identify
Large body size, body length approximately 3.5-5 meters; thick, hairless skin with grayish-brown coloration; broad head, huge mouth, well-developed incisors; spends most of the time submerged in water; nostrils and eyes located on top of the head to facilitate breathing and observation underwater.
Habitat
Freshwater rivers, lakes, swamps, and wetlands
Diet
Primarily herbivorous, feeds on grasses on land at night
When it is active
Nocturnal, forages at night and rests mostly in water during the day
Where it lives
Widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania (Masai Mara), Uganda, Zambia, and others
How to spot it
Observe at dusk or night near water, maintain a safe distance, use binoculars or telephoto lenses for photography
Photography tips
Use soft light during early morning or late evening for photography, capture behaviors of soaking in water and grazing on land, ensure waterproof and dustproof equipment
Threats
Habitat loss, illegal hunting for tusks (hippopotamus teeth) and meat, water pollution
Similar species
Pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis), smaller in size, distributed in West Africa, darker coloration and larger ears
