The hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius; / ˌhɪpəˈpɒtəməs /; pl.: hippopotamuses), often shortened to hippo (pl.: hippos), further qualified as the common hippopotamus, Nile …

Nov 30, 2025 · hippopotamus, (Hippopotamus amphibius), amphibious African ungulate mammal. Often considered to be the second largest land animal (after the elephant), the hippopotamus …

Mar 19, 2025 · Hippos are the second biggest animal on land. These water-loving creatures spend most of their time wallowing in mud but can be aggressive and dangerous if they feel …

Mar 10, 2011 · Hippopotamuses are large, semiaquatic mammals native to sub-Saharan Africa. Although their name comes from the Greek for “ river horse ”—because of the time they spend …

Watch a hippo, on land or in the water, and you’ll soon discover that this roly-poly is one of the world’s great characters. It is the most rotund land mammal and spends its daytime hours in …

Weighing up to 8,000 pounds, hippos are the heaviest land animals after the elephant. They seek refuge from the heat by living in water during the day, and at night they come ashore to feed …

What is a hippo? There are two species of hippos — the large/common hippo and the smaller relative, the pygmy hippo. Hippos are the third-largest living land mammal, after elephants and …

Hippo facts for kids. Learn all about where hippos live, what they eat, how they have adapted and more here at National Geographic Kids

Sub-Saharan Africa is the home to the one of the heaviest land mammals in the world — the hippopotamus. Their dense bodies make it impossible for them to swim, even though they …

The hippopotamus is the second largest mammal on earth. Learn more about the hippo’s habitat, diet, strength, threats, and other interesting facts.