Updated
Hippo facts reveal one of Africa’s most misunderstood animals — the bulky, semi-aquatic giant is not the slow, docile creature it resembles but one of the continent’s most dangerous and aggressive. Hippos are among Africa’s most dangerous large animals. Males can weigh well over 1,500 kg, they can run at around 30 km/h on land for short bursts, and they defend their stretch of water and their young aggressively. Most fatal encounters happen when people in small boats surprise a hippo, or when someone stands between a grazing hippo and the water at night. Estimates of deaths each year are often given in the hundreds, though reliable figures are hard to find, and that is generally more than lions cause.
Hippo Facts: Why the Hippopotamus Kills More People Than Lions
Body and biology
The common hippo spends the day in water or mud to stay cool and protect its sensitive skin, which secretes a reddish fluid that acts as a sunscreen and may help prevent infection, the origin of the myth that hippos “sweat blood”. They cannot really swim; instead they walk or bounce along the bottom and can stay underwater for several minutes. Their closest living relatives are whales and dolphins. Hippos can live for around 40 years in the wild.
Behaviour
Hippos live in groups, often of 10 to 30, led by a dominant bull who controls a stretch of river or shore. The wide-mouthed “yawn”, showing large tusk-like canines, is a threat display, and bulls fight fiercely. At night, hippos leave the water and walk along regular paths to graze, eating large amounts of grass before returning at dawn. Their dung, spread by tail-flicking, marks territory and fertilises waterways, supporting fish and other life. See our guide to where to see hippos in Uganda.
Staying safe
Watch hippos from a vehicle, a sturdy boat with a guide, or a lodge viewpoint. Never walk along riverbanks or lakeshores at dusk, at night or in early morning, keep well away from hippo paths, and follow lodge staff instructions, as hippos often graze around lakeside lodges after dark. On boat trips, guides keep a safe distance and avoid getting between hippos and deep water. See our guides to the Kazinga Channel and safari animals in Uganda.
Hippos in Uganda
Uganda’s hippo populations fell during the poaching years of the 1970s and 1980s and have since recovered in the protected areas, especially in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls. A boat trip in one of these parks combines easily with gorilla trekking, where the permit costs US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November. See our guide to Uganda’s wildlife recoveries.
Frequently asked questions
They are generally thought to cause more human deaths in Africa.
Not really; they walk or bounce along the bottom.
No; their skin secretes a reddish fluid that protects against sun.
Around 30 km/h over short distances.
