Hippo Behavior

The hippopotamus eats grass and some water plants. It feeds mostly at night and eats about 40 kg of grass each night. The common hippo lives in groups of 20 to 100 members. In the center of each group there is a creche. The pygmy hippo lives solitary.

Hippos have no sweat glands, so they keep cool in the water or in mud. Their skin secretes a natural red sunscreen substance, for additional protection.

Hippos communicate using a variety of grunts and deep rumbles. They have excellent hearing, sight, and smell.