- The hippopotamus reaches a length of 2.9 to 5 m (9.5 to 16 ft) and weighs 1,000 to 4,500 kg (2,200 to 9,900 lb).
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- However because of its short legs, it stands no higher than 1.5 to 1.65 m (5 to 5.4 ft).
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- It generally travels in herds of about 10 to 15 animals.
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- Hippopotamuses are sometimes called Hippos for short.
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- Remains of fossil hippopotamuses have been found in European and Indian deposits of the Pliocene epoch and Quarternary period.
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- The common brown or grey hippopotamus is one of the largest four-footed animals.
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- There are only 2 species of hippopotamus. Both species are amphibious.
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- The common adult hippopotamus has tusk-like canine teeth in the lower jaw, which are valued as ivory.
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- The hippopotamuses range has shrunk considerably due to human intervention.
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