Hippos

The hippopotamus, whose hide alone can weigh half a ton, is the third-largest living land mammal, after elephants and white rhinos. Hippos are herbivores, meaning they eat only vegetation and they spend much of their time in the water.

Learn more about one Africa’s most interesting and misunderstood animals, the hippo in Edge of Africa®.

Hippopotamuses are very aggressive animals, by nature, especially when young calves are present.

Q: Do hippos sweat blood?

BG: While it may look like a hippo is “sweating blood” on a hot day, hippos actually secrete pinkish colored oil that helps them keep their skin moist in hot climates.

Q: What do hippos eat?

BG: Hippos are herbivores, which means they prefer grasses and vegetation. Since hippos’ lips are almost two feet wide, they are extremely efficient grazers.

Q: How long do hippos live?

A: In the wild, hippos typically live between 20 and 40 years. In managed care at accredited facilities like Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay hippos typically live into their fifties!