Hippo Hunting In Zimbabwe

Hippopotamus amphibius, or Common Hippopotamus, is a very large, barrel-shaped mammal with hooves. They are indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa and are one of only two species of Hippopotamidae on Earth.

Hippo can be found at almost any watering hole – but by far the best and most scenic place to hunt these large beasts is on Lake Kariba.

The other being the Pygmy Hippopotamus found mainly in West Africa. The Common Hippopotamus is the only species found in Zimbabwe.

The word hippopotamus is an adaptation of the Ancient Greek word ἱπποπόταμος. This translates into “river horse”.

These animals are classified as mammals. as the females or cows, nurse their young with milk from mammary glands.

Even though they shares many physical characteristics with pigs, they share no dna history. They are more closely related to whales and dolphins.

Hippos are extremely large. They are the heaviest hoofed animal in the world. In terms of size, they trail behind only the elephant and rhinoceros. Males, or bulls, average 1.5 tonnes (1500kg) while the females average 1.3 tonnes (1300kg). Weights can be higher though, especially in the males.

Hippos can grow up to 16.5 feet (5 meters) in length and stand up to 5 feet (1.6 meters) at the shoulder. In the wild their life expectancy is about 30 years, but can survive for as long as 50 years. In captivity, they can easily reach 50 years.

These animals are considered herbivores, even though there is film evidence of some feeding on carrion. However, hippos filmed eating meat are thought to be suffering from nutritional stress. Their digestive systems are not designed to process this form of protein.

Hippos can spend as much as 16 hours a day in the water. Their diet is almost exclusively grass with small amounts of aquatic vegetation. Feeding takes place out of the water at night.

They can eat about 35kg (80 pounds) of grass every day, traveling as much as 10km to do so. If food is scarce, they can store food in their stomachs and ‘diet’ for as long as 3 weeks.

Their favorite habitats are shallow rivers, dams or lakes with a good supply of grass nearby.

For an animal that spends a large part of every day in the water, it may surprise you to know that hippos cannot swim. They cannot float either, but the baby calves are buoyant. They actually bounce or walk along the river, dam or lake bed even when totally submerged. They can hold their breath for up to 5 minutes underwater.

Fun fact – breathing in hippos is completely subconscious. If asleep while submerged they will automatically surface to breathe without waking.

Their eyes, ears, and nostrils all positioned on top of their heads. This means that they can hide their huge bodies and much of their heads while in the water.

Hippos use the water to support their huge body weight. They also use it to protect their thick, but vulnerable skin from the harsh sunlight in Africa.

The water is not enough protection from the sun though. By secreting a thick blood-like substance they coats their hairless hides. This substance is more than a sunscreen since it also has anti-bacterial properties.

Hippopotamus eyesight is rather poor but not as poor as the rhino. They have excellent senses of hearing and smell.

Like crocodiles, they have a transparent membrane that protects their eyes underwater. They can also close their nostrils when submerged.

The most distinctive feature is its large mouth with enlarged lower canines and incisors. In males, the lower canines can reach up to 50cm in length while the lower incisors can reach up to 40cm.

These ‘tusks’ play no part in feeding but are used in combat. This is usually while protecting their territory from other males.

Hippopotami incisors and canines are a source of ivory. They are big enough to be carved but do not share the same commercial value as elephant tusks. However, some parts of Africa have seen poaching for their teeth.