About
Hippopotamus. A semiaquatic mammal widely distributed in rivers, lakes, and waterside areas of the savanna in sub-Saharan Africa, living both on land and in water. Body length is 3–4 m and weight is 1.3–3.2 t, making it large; it spends most of the daytime in water and feeds on grasses at night. Its main diet is short grasses, and it consumes large amounts during a few hours each day. It has strong territoriality and aggressiveness, with males leading groups and performing defensive behavior. Although population trends are stable, it is classified as Vulnerable (IUCN Red List Category II) and faces threats from habitat destruction and poaching.
