Hippos

Hippos, or hippopotamuses, are large, semi-aquatic mammals in the family Hippopotamidae. Two living species exist: the common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) and the pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis). They are native to sub-Saharan Africa, with the common hippo in rivers, lakes, and swamps, and the pygmy hippo in West Africa's forests and wetlands.

Physically, they have barrel-shaped bodies, short legs, and nearly hairless gray-brown skin. Adults weigh 1.5 to 4.5 metric tons and have large mouths with tusk-like canines; eyes, ears, and nostrils sit high on the head to see and breathe while mostly submerged. They spend long periods in water to stay cool and protect skin.

Behavior and diet: They are herbivores, feeding mainly on grasses (roughly 40 kg per night). Social, hippos form groups called pods or bloat with a dominant male. They swim well and can stay submerged for minutes, emerging at night to graze.

Reproduction: Breeding occurs in or near water. Gestation is about 230 days, with newborns weighing 40–50 kg. Calves are typically born in water and can swim soon after. Lifespan in the wild is about 40–50 years.

Conservation: The common hippo is listed as Vulnerable and the pygmy hippo as Endangered by the IUCN. Threats include habitat loss, hunting, and conflict with humans. Protected areas and conservation programs aim to stabilize populations, but numbers remain of concern.