Hippopotamus Amphibius

Hippopotamus Amphibius - Introduction and Distribution

Picture source: zviratka

The Pygmy Hipopotamus is much smaller and rarer than the common hippo. Over the last century their population has decreased, and this tendency persists in most areas. In olden times Hippopotamuses could be found in Egypt, but eventually, humans forced them out of the area, because Hippos inflicted severe damage to harvests.

It has been estimated, that there are around 157,000 hippos in Africa. The hippopotamus is not common to West Africa, where only about 7,000 animals are scattered throughout 19 countries. The population of West African hippopotamus is on the decline due to the destruction of grazing lands. The largest populations are concentrated in East and South Africa, particularly in the Kruger National Park.

The Pygmy Hippopotamus is found in lowland woods and swamps of Ivory Coast and Liberia, and a few species were detected in Guinea and Sierra Leona. They are less accustomed to water life, and are more endangered than their corpulent cousins. Hippopotamuses are very dangerous, and they kill more people than lions, tigers and crocodiles combined.