Nature Atlas

How Nature Works
Sign In
Text size
100%
Theme
Taxa

Hippopotamidae

Mammal Families

Hippopotamidae is a family of stout, naked-skinned, semiaquatic artiodactyl mammals. Two species survive today, the common hippopotamus of African rivers and lakes and the smaller pygmy hippopotamus of West African forests. Hippos have three-chambered stomachs, walk on four toes on each foot, and despite their pig-like build their closest living relatives are the cetaceans. They have short stumpy legs, barrel-shaped bodies, large heads with broad mouths, tusk-like teeth, and lack sebaceous and sweat glands, which makes them dehydrate quickly outside water.

Facts
Taxonomic Rank
Family 2
Member Count Band
Under 10 Species 3
Era First Appeared
Neogene 4
Classification
Living or Extinct
Yes 1
Sources
1. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ213336, descriptionView the Source
2. Wikipedia: Hippopotamidae
WikipediaIntroduction
Quote, Introduction
Hippopotamidae is a family of stout, naked-skinned, and semiaquatic artiodactyl mammals, possessing three-chambered stomachs and walking on four toes on each foot.
View the Source
3. Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank): Taxon metrics for Hippopotamidae
Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank)Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCount
Quote, Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCount
"speciesExtantCount": 3
View the Source
4. Paleobiology Database: Taxon record for Hippopotamidae
Paleobiology DatabaseTaxon record, first appearance (firstapp_max_ma, early_interval)
Quote, Taxon record, first appearance (firstapp_max_ma, early_interval)
"taxon_name": "Hippopotamidae" ... "firstapp_max_ma": 23.04 ... "early_interval": "Aquitanian"
View the Source
Wikidata: Hippopotamidae
Wikidata Q213336, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.