Giants · VU Vulnerable
Hippopotamus
Hippopotamus amphibius
A three-tonne river giant that looks placid but is one of Africa's most dangerous animals — now vulnerable to poaching and drought.
VU · Vulnerable
Overview
A three-tonne river giant that looks placid but is one of Africa's most dangerous animals — now vulnerable to poaching and drought.
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Field data
| IUCN status | VU · Vulnerable |
|---|---|
| Population | ~115,000–130,000 |
| Trend | decreasing |
| Last assessed | 2017 |
| Class / Order | Mammalia · Cetartiodactyla |
| Family | Hippopotamidae |
| Range | Sub-Saharan Africa |
Why it matters
Evolutionary distinction
- Oozes a red, sunscreen-like fluid to protect its skin.
- Can't swim; it walks and pushes off along the riverbed.
From the collection
Take one home
art print
Hippopotamus art print
Museum-grade art print from the Hippopotamus plate.
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plush
Hippopotamus plush
Museum-grade plush from the Hippopotamus plate.
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notebook
Hippopotamus notebook
Museum-grade notebook from the Hippopotamus plate.
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Fulfilled on demand. Connect your Fourthwall / print-on-demand store to make these live.
Sources