National Geographic Photographer & Filmmaker

Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius)

The common hippopotamus is semiaquatic, inhabiting rivers, lakes and mangrove swamps, where territorial bulls preside over a stretch of river and groups of five to 30 females and young. During the day, they remain cool by staying in the water or mud; reproduction and childbirth both occur in water. They emerge at dusk to graze on grasses. While hippopotamuses rest near each other in the water, grazing is a solitary activity and hippos are not territorial on land.

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Filename: Hippopotamus splashing water in a threat display mouth open.jpg
Copyright: Shannon Wild
Image Size: 2857x1903 / 9.2MB; Africa aggressive aggressive display Animal Animals aquatic dam dangerous display Fauna fight Hippo Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius Horizontal Landscape mouth open outdoors outside river Safari Shannon Benson Shannon Wild South Africa splash spray swim teeth territorial tusks Wild Wildlife
Contained in galleries: WILDLIFE ARCHIVE

The common hippopotamus is semiaquatic, inhabiting rivers, lakes and mangrove swamps, where territorial bulls preside over a stretch of river and groups of five to 30 females and young. During the day, they remain cool by staying in the water or mud; reproduction and childbirth both occur in water. They emerge at dusk to graze on grasses. While hippopotamuses rest near each other in the water, grazing is a solitary activity and hippos are not territorial on land.