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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Are Hippos Smart?
Hippos have one of the smallest brain-to-body ratios of any large mammal — yet research shows they can recognise individuals by voice alone. Here’s the honest picture.
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The Best Books About Hippos for Kids and Adults
Discover the best books about hippos for adults and kids, from true conservation stories and animal friendships to funny, fact-filled picture books.
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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…
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.