Mammals
Hippopotamus
Hippopotamus amphibius
The hippopotamus is one of the heaviest land mammals and, despite its placid look, among the most dangerous animals in Africa. It spends the day submerged in water and comes out at night to graze grass.
In short
The hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) is a species with IUCN conservation status VU (Vulnerable). It lives in rivers, lakes and swamps, where water supports its bulk and shields its sensitive skin from the sun. Animals in Black offers a fine-art portrait of it on a black background, available as a print on Hahnemühle paper: request the print.
Habitat & conservation
Where does the hippopotamus live?
It lives in rivers, lakes and swamps, where water supports its bulk and shields its sensitive skin from the sun. It secretes a reddish fluid that acts as a natural sunscreen and antibacterial. Its closest living relatives are, surprisingly, the cetaceans.
Is the hippopotamus endangered?
The IUCN Red List rates it Vulnerable (VU) with a declining population. The main threats are poaching for meat and ivory teeth, and the loss of wetlands to drought and farming.
Facts about the hippopotamus
- Its closest living relatives are whales and dolphins.
- It secretes a reddish fluid that works as a natural sunscreen.
- It is among the most dangerous animals to humans in Africa.
Data source: IUCN Red List — Hippopotamus amphibius (Vulnerable)
RED List
Conservation status codes
- EX Extinct No individuals survive.
- EW Extinct in the wild Survives only in captivity.
- CR Critically endangered Extremely high risk of extinction.
- EN Endangered Very high risk of extinction.
- VU Vulnerable High risk of extinction.
- NT Near threatened Likely to become threatened soon.
- LC Least concern Low risk of extinction.
- DD Data deficient Not enough data to assess.
- NE Not evaluated Not yet assessed by the IUCN.