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Hippopotamus

Mammals
Hippopotamus

The hippopotamus is a large, mostly herbivorous mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa, spending much of the day submerged in rivers and lakes to keep its bulky body cool, with eyes, ears and nostrils positioned high on its head so it can remain mostly underwater while still sensing its surroundings. Despite its barrel-shaped body and short legs, the hippo is a capable and aggressive animal on land, where it grazes on grasses at night, and it is considered one of the most dangerous large animals in Africa due to its territorial aggression, particularly in water. Hippos live in groups centered on water bodies, and the species is classified as vulnerable, with populations declining because of habitat loss and hunting for meat and ivory-like teeth.

Facts
Classification
Diet
Herbivore 2
System (Realm)
Freshwater 2
Threats
Biological Resource Use 2
Relationship to People
Hunted or Fished 2
Living or Extinct
Yes 3
Identification
Distinguishing Appearance
A barrel-shaped, nearly hairless torso on short legs, with a wide mouth and small ears and eyes set high on the head. 1
Comparison
CITES Appendix
Appendix II 2
Scientific Name
Hippopotamus amphibius 3
Conservation Status
Vulnerable 2
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Artiodactyla, Taxa
Source Catalogue of Life

In Biome

River, Biomes
Source Wikipedia: Hippopotamus

In Ecosystem

Lake Victoria, Ecosystems
Source Wikidata: Hippopotamus
Additional Source Lake Victoria (Wikipedia)Article text
Okavango Delta, Ecosystems
Source Wikidata: Hippopotamus
Additional Source Okavango Delta (Wikipedia)Article text
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Africa

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Botswana

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Colombia

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Eswatini

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Kenya

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Mozambique

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Namibia

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Zimbabwe

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Sources
1. Hippopotamus (Wikipedia)
Description section
Quote, Description section
Hippos are recognisable for their barrel-shaped torsos, wide-opening mouths with large canine tusks, nearly hairless bodies, short legs, and large size.
2. Wikipedia: Hippopotamus
  • threat (MediaWiki batch-API article extract states it plainly)
    They are threatened by habitat loss and poaching for their meat and ivory (canine teeth).
  • system (MediaWiki batch-API article extract states it plainly)
    : hippos), further qualified as the common hippopotamus, Nile hippopotamus and river hippopotamus, is a large semiaquatic mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Lead section
    threatened by habitat loss and poaching for their meat and ivory (canine teeth)
  • Article text
    The species is included in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meaning international export/import (including in parts and derivatives) requires CITES documentation to be obtained and presented to border authorities.
  • system (entity description states it plainly, diet)
    The hippopotamus is a large, mostly herbivorous mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa, spending much of the day submerged in rivers and lakes to keep its bulky body cool, with eyes, ears and nostrils positioned high on its head so it can remain mostly underwater while still sensing its surroundings.
  • Infobox: status
    VU
  • In Biome: River, Wikipedia intro: "ortened to hippo (pl.: hippos), further qualified as the common hippopotamus, Nile hippopotamus and river hippopotamus, is a large semiaquatic mammal native to..."
View the Source
3. Wikidata: Hippopotamus
Wikidata
  • Wikidata Q34505, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
  • Statements section, conservation status (P141)
    IUCN Red List conservation status (Wikidata property P141): vulnerable.
  • Wikidata Q34505 (P225 taxon name)
View the Source
Catalogue of Life
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of LifeChild Taxon Of: ArtiodactylaView the Source
Okavango Delta (Wikipedia)
In Ecosystem: Okavango Delta, Article text
Quote, In Ecosystem: Okavango Delta, Article text
species include the giraffe, blue wildebeest, plains zebra, hippopotamus, impala, common eland, greater kudu, sable antelope, roan antelope, puku, waterbuck, sitatunga, tsessebe, cheetah, African wild dog, spotted hyena, black-backed jackal, caracal, serval, aardvark, aardwolf, bat-eared fox, African savanna hare, honey badger,
View the Source
Lake Victoria (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIn Ecosystem: Lake Victoria, Article text
Quote, In Ecosystem: Lake Victoria, Article text
Among these are the hippopotamus, African clawless otter, spotted-necked otter, marsh mongoose, sitatunga, bohor reedbuck, defassa waterbuck, cane rats, and giant otter shrew.
View the Source
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