The Hippopotamus - Hippo Paintings

Original Hippo Paintings by Alan M Hunt

The hippopotamus is a very large African animal. It has a blue-grey body with a pink underbelly, a large head, stumpy legs, and can weigh over 3 tonne! The males can weigh between 1600-3200 kgs (3600 - 7000 pounds), and the females between 650 - 2300 kgs (1400 - 5200 pounds).

Hippos like to wallow about in the water, due to the fact their skin is quite thin - and if they are not submerged in water they are vulnerable to dehydration.

Original Hippo Painting by Alan M Hunt

Although these are enormous animals, they usually walk up to 3-5 kms (2 or 3 miles) in a day.

Amazing Fact: Despite their size, hippos can gallop at speeds up to 30 km/h (18 mph).

Hippopotamus is spelt with an a, not an o, as the common mispelling is hippopotomus.

 Orignal Hippon Painting by Alan M Hunt

 Alan M Hunt Original Paintings

Interesting Hippo facts

Found in: Kazungula, Limpopo, Zambezi

Scientific Name: Hippopotamus amphibius

Size: 13 feet long and 5 feet tall

Weight: Up to 31/2 tons

Lifespan: 50 years

Habitat: Rivers, swamps and protected areas

Diet: Herbivorous

Gestation: About 240 days

Predators: Humans, lions, crocodiles

Other Interesting Facts

Hippos can eat up to 40 kgs (88 pounds) of short grass in one day!

Conservation Projects 

Gilman International Conservation

Original Hippo Paintings By Alan M Hunt

Alan M Hunt Original Paintings