Common hippopotamus

Hippopotamus amphibious

Hippo Calf

Animal facts

Hippos spend the daytime wallowing in water to keep cool, and feed on land at night. They are good swimmers and surprisingly fast on land. Their smooth skin excretes a pinkish mucous which may protect from the sun and harmful bacteria.

Where they live

Sub-Saharan Africa

Habitat

Grasslands, savannah, swamps, wetlands, rivers

What they eat

Mainly grass and some other vegetation

Adopt an animal

Printable version