Everything about the hippopotamus
Biology, behaviour, conservation, and comparisons — the most complete guide to the world’s third-largest land mammal.
The Essentials
All articles →The most surprising facts about hippos in one place.
🌿 What Do Hippos Eat?Diet, feeding patterns, and nightly grazing behaviour.
📍 Hippopotamus HabitatWhere hippos live, which countries, and why they need water.
🐣 Reproduction & CalvesGestation, birth, calf development, and maternal bonds.
👥 Social StructureHow hippo pods work — bulls, cows, and hierarchy.
🛡️ Hippo PredatorsWhat threatens hippos — and what almost nothing can.
🦕 Hippopotamus EvolutionFrom whale ancestor to Africa’s river giant.
⚠️ Deaths Caused by HipposWhy hippos kill ~500 people per year — and how to stay safe.
Latest Articles
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Best Hippo Gifts and Toys for Kids and Hippo Lovers
Shopping for someone who loves hippos? The best hippo gifts depend on what they enjoy: a realistic plush for cuddling, a detailed animal figure for imaginative play, a building set for older kids, or something more grown-up for a wildlife enthusiast. This list brings together eight different ideas rather than several versions of the same…
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Hippo Bite Force: How Strong Is a Hippo’s Bite?
A hippo’s bite measures around 1,800 PSI, nearly three times a lion’s. Here’s how it was measured, how it compares to other animals, and how hippos use it to kill.
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How Do Hippos Sleep?
Hippos sleep submerged underwater, surfacing to breathe every few minutes without ever waking up. Here’s how the reflex works — and what happens when a mother sleeps with her calf.
The hippopotamus is Vulnerable — and declining
Approximately 115,000 to 130,000 remain in the wild. Habitat loss, poaching and climate change are accelerating the decline.