Hippopotamidae - hippopotamuses

There are two living species and one extinct in this family. They are found in lakes, swamps, and rivers in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Hippos have large heads; large, round bodies; small ears; and short tails. They have thick, gray skin lightly covered in hair and short, stumpy legs. Their ears, eyes, and nose are on the top of their heads. This lets the hippo submerge most of its body in water and keep it nose and eyes above the water line so it can breathe and keep an eye out for danger.

The hippo lives in herds of up to 40 individuals. It spends most of the day in the water. At night, it emerges from the water to graze on vegetation.

World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in Wild Extinct
Status taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status, or there is no status data for the species.

US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

Additional Information

Resource Key
Profile Photos Video Audio

Pygmy Hippopotamus - Choeropsis liberiensis
The pygmy hippopotamus is much smaller than the hippopotamus. It eyes are also not quite as far on the side of its head as those of the hippopotamus.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Pygmy Hippopotamus - Choeropsis liberiensis
In 1927 rubber baron Harvey Firestone gave President Calvin Coolidge a male pygmy hippo named Billy. Billy is the ancestor to almost all pygmy hippos living in American zoos.
Source: National Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Pygmy Hippopotamus - Choeropsis liberiensis
The pygmy hippopotamus is usually solitary but can sometimes be found in small family groups.
Source: San Diego Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Pygmy Hippopotamus - Choeropsis liberiensis
The pygmy hippopotamus is found in Liberia, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School

Hippopotamus - Hippopotamus amphibius
The name hippopotamus comes from the Greek word meaning "river or water horse."
Source: San Diego Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Hippopotamus - Hippopotamus amphibius
The hippopotamus is very graceful under water!
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Hippopotamus - Hippopotamus amphibius
The hippopotamus is also known as the Nile hippopotamus.
Source: National Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Hippopotamus - Hippopotamus amphibius
The hippopotamus is the third-largest living land mammal, after elephants and white rhinos.
Source: African Wildlife Federation Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Hippopotamus - Hippopotamus amphibius
Female hippos give birth away from the herd, while submerged underwater.
Source: Los Angeles Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Hippopotamus - Hippopotamus amphibius
Hippos spend most of their time in the water with only their eyes and nostrils exposed.
Source: Philadelphia Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Hippopotamus - Hippopotamus amphibius
Hippos cans stay underwater for up to 5 to 6 minutes.
Source: Enchanted Learning Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary School