Hippopotamus

Afrikaans name: Seekoei

Hippo

Photo © Steven Herbert

Hippopotamus amphibius

Interesting facts about Hippos

Apparently their name originates from the Greek word for 'river horse' (I don't see the resemblance between a horse and a hippo)

Hippos are most often seen in or very near water during the day. At night they come out the water to graze and will travel quite long distances to find food.

Hippos occupy permanent water sources such as dams, rivers and larger water holes.

Dominant bulls form territories where they keep a small to large group of females. They will defend their territory aggressively and may even challenge boats entering their space.

Hippo are well-known as being aggressive, particularly when they are out of the water. It is not a good idea to get between a Hippo and the water!

Male Hippos can weigh around 2,000 kg with the average being 1,500 kg. Females weigh around 1,300 kg.

Photo © Steven Herbert

Photo © Steven Herbert

Above and below - Adult male Hippos have enormous power and are not scared to use it on rival males, boats, people and other objects that infringe on their territories. Here young hippos indulge in play-fighting which they will put to more serious use later in life.

Photo © Steven Herbert

References and further reading

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 22

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 220

Wild Ways - 2nd Edition - Author: Peter Apps - Published: 2000 - Page: 138

Wild Issue 44 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 88

Wild Issue 29 - Author: - Published: 2014 - Page: 64

Village Life Issue 23 - Author: - Published: 2007 - Page: 28

Wild Issue 21 - Author: - Published: 2012 - Page: 48

Tracks and Tracking in Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2000 - Page: 96

The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 340

The Mammal Guide of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 2011 - Page: 106

The Natal Bushveld - Volume 2 - Author: Natal Parks Board - Published: 1981 - Page: 17

Signs of the Wild - 5th Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1996 - Page: 140

South African Animals in the Wild - Author: Anthony Bannister - Published: 1985 - Page: 52

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 46

Signs of the Wild - 3rd Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1986 - Page: 153

Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 369

Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 24

Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 27

Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 13

Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 2

Nature in the Balance - Author: Rob Marsh - Published: 1991 - Page: 37

Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 1987 - Page: 81

Mammals of the Kruger and other National Parks - Author: The National Parks Board - Published: 1980 - Page: 80

Maberlys Mammals of Southern Africa - Revised edition - Author: Richard Goss - Published: 1986 - Page: 219

Land Mammals of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Reay HN Smithers - Published: 1986 - Page: 150

Kruger National Park Questions and Answers - Author: P.F. Fourie - Published: 1987 - Page: 173

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 414

Freshwater Life - Author: C. Griffiths, J. Day & M. Picker - Published: 2015 - Page: 40

Game Ranger in your Backpack - Author: Megan Emmett and Sean Pattrick - Published: 2013 - Page: 70

First Field Guide to Animal Tracks of Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2003 - Page: 42

Field Guide to the Mammals of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. de V. Pienaar et al. - Published: 1987 - Page: 111

Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2001 - Page: 178

Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 159

Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1997 - Page: 90

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 256

Chris and Tilde Stuarts Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Edit - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1988 - Page: 178

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 10

An Introduction to the Larger Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Joanna Dalton - Published: 1987 - Page: 181

African Wildlife - Vol 38 No 2 - Author: - Published: 1984 - Page: 77

African Wildlife - A photographic safari - Author: Nigel and Wendy Dennis - Published: 1999 - Page: 34

A Field Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Southern and East African Wildlife - 3rd - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2000 - Page: 103

A Field Guide to the Mammals of Africa including Madagascar - Author: Theodor Haltenorth and Helmut Diller - Published: 1980 - Page: 33

African Wildlife Foundation

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List of South African Mammals