The common hippopotamus lives in rivers and lakes in sub Saharan Africa. It spends the day in water to stay cool and comes onto land at night to graze, eating large amounts of grass.
Adults can weigh around 3,000 to 4,000 pounds or more, and their huge mouths open wide to show long tusks.
Amazing Facts
Hippos produce a reddish oily fluid that acts like natural sunscreen. They cannot truly swim but move by walking and pushing off the river bottom.
Ohio Connection
The Cincinnati Zoo’s Fiona, born premature in 2017, became one of the most famous hippos in the world. Wild hippos are listed as vulnerable.
Watch Responsibly
Whether you are on safari, in a national park, or at an Ohio zoo, give wild animals space, follow posted rules, and never feed wildlife. Supporting accredited zoos and conservation groups helps protect these animals and their habitats for future generations.
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