Hippos | Hippopotamidae

Always in a bad mood, and loving water, Hippos of the family Hippopotamidae, are naked-skinned pig-like mammals with four toes per foot. The Hippopotamidae family only has two remaining living species: the common hippopotamus and the pygmy hippopotamus. Hippopotamids are herbivorous, grassing at night and remaining submerged in water during the day. Males are larger than females and are very territorial. Hippos prefer to be in groups when basking, but they enjoy their solitude when grazing.

Why are hippos scary?

It is funny how the hippo rarely appears in folklore and movies among scary animals, even with its bad rap of goring humans, overturning boats, and stomping out other animals. It is not only humans that are afraid of an adult hippo but even crocodiles. The hippo’s immense weight, tusk, aggressiveness, and unpredictable behavior make it unapproachable.

How long can a hippo hold its breath?

For an adult hippo, it is only five minutes that it can remain submerged without air and for a baby hippo, the maximum it can do is one minute. However, you will mostly see hippos in shallow areas in a lake or river where they can breathe freely. Besides, their large bodies enable them to walk on river beds, hence no need to hold their breath.

Which Egyptian god is a hippo?

The goddess Taweret, whom the Egyptians believed to be the holder of fertility and rejuvenation, is portrayed as a hippo. Her head is that of a hippo, face and tail crocodile, limbs feline, and the hair is human. Her fierceness is represented as that of a mother protecting her young from harm, a character the hippo also possesses.

Hippos Guides
Browse through our curated Hippos Guides for additional categorizations, tips, details, variations, styles, and histories of Hippos. Guides provide additional insights into the unique properties and shared relationships between elements.
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51”-83” | 1.3-2.1 m
39”-59” | 1-1.5 m
9.5’-16.5’ | 2.9-5.05 m
2,866-7,055 lb | 1,300-3,200 kg
36-50 years
Hippopotamus
210.000
150.000
505.000
3200.000
50.00
603000
GUIDE
3D
Hippopotamus
29.5”-39” | .75-1 m
22”-26” | .55-.65 m
59”-69” | 1.5-1.75 m
353-606 lb | 160-275 kg
30-50 years
Pygmy Hippopotamus
100.000
65.000
175.000
275.000
50.00
5350
GUIDE
3D
Pygmy Hippopotamus
Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius)
Dimensioned comparison drawing of the Hippopotamus compared to a human and pygmy hippo

Always in a bad mood, and loving water, the Hippo or Hippopotamus amphibius, is among the most dangerous land animals local to sub-Saharan Africa. It is also called the common hippopotamus or river hippopotamus. It is large with a pig-like profile, loves to show its large canine task, and opens the mouth extra-wide. Besides, it has pillar-like legs and a hairless body. The hippo is an herbivore, grassing at night and remaining submerged in water during the day. Females give birth to one calve every two years. Males are larger than females and very territorial and prefer to be in groups when basking but solitary when grazing.

Hippopotamus' have a total body length between 9.5’-16.5’ (2.9-5.05 m), standing shoulder height of 51”-83” (1.3-2.1 m), and body width of 39”-59” (1-1.5 m). The typical weight of the Hippopotamus is in the range of 2,866-7,055 lb (1,300-3,200 kg). Hippopotamus' have lifespans between 36-50 years.

Set of scaled elevation drawings of the Hippopotamus viewed from the front and side
Always in a bad mood, and loving water, the Hippo or Hippopotamus amphibius, is among the most dangerous land animals local to sub-Saharan Africa. It is also called the common hippopotamus or river hippopotamus. It is large with a pig-like profile and loves to show its large canine task.

Hippopotamus' have a total body length between 9.5’-16.5’ (2.9-5.05 m), standing shoulder height of 51”-83” (1.3-2.1 m), and body width of 39”-59” (1-1.5 m). The typical weight of the Hippopotamus is in the range of 2,866-7,055 lb (1,300-3,200 kg). Hippopotamus' have lifespans between 36-50 years.

Set of scaled elevation drawings of the Hippopotamus viewed from the front and side
Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius)
Height:
51”-83” | 1.3-2.1 m
Width:
39”-59” | 1-1.5 m
Length:
9.5’-16.5’ | 2.9-5.05 m
Depth:
Weight:
2,866-7,055 lb | 1,300-3,200 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Hippopotamus amphibius
Lifespan
36-50 years

Drawings include:

Hippopotamus side elevation, front, back, lying down

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Pygmy Hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis)
Scale illustration of an average Pygmy Hippopotamus compared to a human and a common hippo

The Pygmy Hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis) shares a lot of similarities with its bigger cousin, the river hippo, such as mating and giving birth in water, semiaquatic behavior, and feeding on plant material. The pygmy hippo is nocturnal and almost half the size of the Nile hippopotamus. It is native to West Africa, especially in Liberian forests and swamps. It has four stubby legs, and each foot has four toes. The skin can be greenish-black or brown and like the common hippo, shade gray cream. Besides, it has narrow toes that are less webbed and less pronounced orbits and nostrils, making it more adaptable to terrestrial lifestyles.

Pygmy Hippopotamus' have a total body length between 59”-69” (1.5-1.75 m), standing shoulder height of 29.5”-39” (.75-1 m), and body width of 22”-26” (.55-.65 m). The typical weight of the Pygmy Hippopotamus is in the range of 353-606 lb (160-275 kg). Pygmy Hippopotamus' have lifespans between 30-50 years.

Pair of elevation illustrations of the Pygmy Hippopotamus seen from the side and front
The Pygmy Hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis) shares a lot of similarities with its bigger cousin, the river hippo, such as mating and giving birth in water, semiaquatic behavior, and feeding on plant material. The pygmy hippo is nocturnal and almost half the size of the Nile hippopotamus.

Pygmy Hippopotamus' have a total body length between 59”-69” (1.5-1.75 m), standing shoulder height of 29.5”-39” (.75-1 m), and body width of 22”-26” (.55-.65 m). The typical weight of the Pygmy Hippopotamus is in the range of 353-606 lb (160-275 kg). Pygmy Hippopotamus' have lifespans between 30-50 years.

Pair of elevation illustrations of the Pygmy Hippopotamus seen from the side and front
Pygmy Hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis)
Height:
29.5”-39” | .75-1 m
Width:
22”-26” | .55-.65 m
Length:
59”-69” | 1.5-1.75 m
Depth:
Weight:
353-606 lb | 160-275 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Choeropsis liberiensis
Lifespan
30-50 years

Drawings include:

Pygmy Hippopotamus side elevation, front, back, lying down

Details & Downloads

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads

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