With a rotund body, short legs and gigantic head, hippopotamuses, or hippos, are among the most striking-looking animals in Africa.
These characterful semi-aquatic herbivores really are huge, with some individuals weighing as much as 3,200 kg – that's roughly as heavy as a female Asian elephant.
Despite often being cited as 'the most dangerous animal in Africa', these powerful mammals also have a soft side. This stunning gallery of hippo photos shows them in all their glory.
Despite their cumbersome appearance, these large mammals can reach running speeds of around 20 mph. Credit: GettyA hippo wallows in a muddy pool in Katavi National Park, Tanzania. It's important for these animals to keep their skin cool and wet to protect themselves against the heat of the sun. Credit: GettyHippos, such as this one in the Okavango Delta in northern Botswana, can hold their breath for up to five minutes. Credit: GettyTwo males clash in the Okavango Delta. Credit: GettyHippos are herbivores and eat grass, leaves, fruit and aquatic plants. Credit: GettyAn egret on the hunt for parasites in the open mouth of a hippo on the Zambezi River – Africa's fourth-longest river. Credit: GettyA hippo at Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe. Credit: GettyAn aerial photo shows hippos wallowing in the muddy waters of iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Credit: GettyHippos can produce a range of sounds, including grunts, growls and moans. Credit: GettyThese water-loving animals can close their nostrils and ears to stop liquid from entering. Credit: GettyA group of hippos is called a 'bloat'. Credit: GettyHippos typically have around 36 teeth. Credit: GettyLong canine teeth, which can measure 50 cm in length, are used to fight off opponents. Credit: GettyA bloat of hippos in Katavi National Park, Tanzania. Credit: GettyA hippo wanders past a flock of flamingos on the shores of Lake Nakuru in Kenya. Credit: Getty
Top image: Hippos flighting on the Luangwa River in Zambia. Credit: Getty. Credit: Getty
