Hippopotamus

A river giant

Hippos spend the day in water to protect their skin from the sun and come ashore at night to graze on grass, sometimes walking several kilometres. Despite their bulk, they are fast over short distances and are among the more dangerous large animals in Africa.

Calls that carry in two worlds

Hippos give a booming series of wheezes and honks. Remarkably, the call can travel through air and water at the same time when the animal floats with its head half submerged. Researchers have found that hippos respond differently to calls from neighbours than to those from strangers, suggesting they recognise each other by voice.

Threats

Hunting for meat and ivory-like teeth, and loss of river habitat to farming and dams, have cut numbers in many areas. Reduced river flow during droughts concentrates hippos in smaller pools and increases conflict with people.

Conservation status follows the IUCN Red List as we understand it at the time of writing. Assessments are revised regularly, so please check the IUCN Red List for the current listing.