Hippopotamus

Appearance

The Hippopotamus a massive, semi-aquatic mammal with a mass of up to 2, 5 tonnes. The Hippopotamus is typically a slate brown colour to muddy brown, with purplish hues often visible. A massive animal, it measures 1500mm in height at the shoulder and has a length of 4310-5160 mm, of which about 560mm is tail. The eyes and nostrils protrude, allowing the animal to see and breathe while otherwise submerged in the water.

A Hippo's teeth are shown in yawning to warn potential competitors and are used for self defense from each other or enemies. The teeth are the hippo’s most valuable weapon and can bite a medium-sized crocodile in half.

Diet

The Hippopotamus is strictly a vegetarian. They require a large amount of energy and therefore need a food source that is in rich supply. If they were carnivorous, there would be more competition for food, thus requiring more energy to get it.

Its diet consists mainly of terrestrial grasses and they may eat up to 68 Kg of grass a night. At dusk, Hippopotamuses leave the water and sometimes walk as far as 8km inland to graze on short grass, which is their main form of sustenance. The 2 essential requirements of a hippo is water deep enough to submerge in and a good supply of grassland nearby.

Breeding

Breeding occurs in water where large males are buoyant and their weight and size aren’t fatal to the cow. This could also be dangerous for the male as his hind legs aren’t strong enough to support him. The male becomes very aggressive during this act and will often lash out or attack other bulls that are close by (sometimes including the young male offspring of the concerned cow).

Cows give birth to a single young in shallow waters, after a gestation period of 240 days. Calves are born in the water and can swim before walking. The calf is often hidden in reeds for a few days by the mother, after which she and her baby rejoins the herd. Females reach sexual maturity at the age of seven to eight years. A female can produce up to 10 young during her lifespan of approximately 35 years in the wild.

Behaviour

Hippos are usually found in large social groups called rafts, of which there is one male and many females and their young. Dominant males are very territorial, but will occasionally accept other males as long as they are submissive and show no interest in the females.

They sleep in or alongside the water during the day and at night forage for grass close to the water. They are strong and fast swimmers, and will attack when wounded or agitated. The fact that it is responsible for most human fatalities and injuries in the wilds renders it the most dangerous mammal in Africa.

It is a myth that the mother carries her calf. What happens is that in cold conditions a young hippo will rest the front part of the body onto that of an adult to sunbathe, due to their smaller body mass the young body will heat faster than adults.

Habitat

The preferred habitat of this species is deep water with adjacent reed beds and grasslands.

Where they are found

Formally widespread throughout South Africa, the Hippo is now only found in permanent rivers and water holes in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. It is also found in Botswana and selected African Countries.

Vital Statistics

Latin Name

Hippopotamus Amphibius

Weight (Female)

1 400kg

Weight (Male)

1 800kg

Gestation Period

8 months

No of Young

1 calf

Sexual Maturity

4 - 7 years

Birth Weight

30 kg

Order

Artiodactyla

Family

Hippopotamidae

Breeding

A single young is born anytime during the year after a gestation period of 7 - 8 months.

Spoor (Trail) Description

There are 4 rounded toes on each foot, the tips being encased in a horny hoof. Each track ranges from 230 - 280 mm in length. The tracks do not resemble those of any other species.