Thinkabara🦛 Hippopotamus Facts for Kids
🐾 Mammals Grades K–5
The hippopotamus is a plant-eating mammal that lives in Africa. Hippos spend up to 16 hours a day in water to stay cool.
🦛 Hippopotamus fact file
- Scientific name
- Hippopotamus amphibius
- Animal group
- Mammal
- Where it lives
- Africa
- Habitat
- Rivers, lakes and swamps in Africa
- Diet
- Herbivore (plant-eater) — Grass — about 80 lb each night
- Size
- About 11 to 16 feet long and 5 feet tall
- Weight
- About 3,000–9,900 lb
- Life span
- About 40 years
- Status
- Vulnerable
📏 A big hippo weighs about as much as two pickup trucks.
⭐ 5 fun facts about hippos
- Hippos spend up to 16 hours a day in water to stay cool.
- They can’t really swim — they walk or bounce along the bottom.
- A hippo can hold its breath for about 5 minutes and even sleeps underwater, bobbing up to breathe without waking.
- Hippo skin makes a reddish oil that works like sunscreen.
- The closest living relatives of hippos are whales and dolphins.
Where do hippos live?
Wild hippos are found in Africa. Rivers, lakes and swamps in Africa. If you want to see one in the United States, visit an accredited zoo or aquarium.
What do hippos eat?
Hippos are herbivores, which means they eat plants. Their menu: grass — about 80 lb each night.
Is the hippopotamus endangered?
Status: Vulnerable. That means its numbers are dropping or at risk, so scientists keep a close eye on it. You can help wild animals by learning about them, saving energy, cutting down on plastic and supporting zoos, aquariums and parks that protect wildlife.
Hippopotamus quiz
What does a hippo’s reddish skin oil do?
What kind of eater is the hippopotamus?
What kind of animal is the hippopotamus?
On which continent can you find wild hippos?
✏️ Write about the hippopotamus
1. The most surprising fact I learned is…
2. If I could ask a hippopotamus one question, I would ask…
3. Draw the hippopotamus in its habitat:
Hippopotamus questions kids ask
Where do hippos live?
Hippos live in Africa. Their habitat: Rivers, lakes and swamps in Africa.
What do hippos eat?
Hippos are herbivores (plant-eater). They eat: Grass — about 80 lb each night.
How big is a hippopotamus?
About 11 to 16 feet long and 5 feet tall. Weight: About 3,000–9,900 lb. A big hippo weighs about as much as two pickup trucks.
How long do hippos live?
About 40 years.
Is the hippopotamus endangered?
Its conservation status is: Vulnerable. That means its numbers are dropping or at risk, so scientists keep a close eye on it.
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