{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "hippopotamus",
  "name": "Hippopotamus",
  "scientificName": "Hippopotamus amphibius",
  "category": "Mammal",
  "summary": "The hippopotamus is a massive semi-aquatic mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa, weighing up to 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Despite a plant-based diet, hippos are highly territorial and are considered one of the most dangerous large animals to humans in Africa. Wild hippos live around 40 to 50 years.",
  "conservationStatus": "Vulnerable",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Mammalia",
    "order": "Artiodactyla",
    "family": "Hippopotamidae",
    "genus": "Hippopotamus"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 1500,
    "lengthM": 4,
    "topSpeedKmh": 30,
    "lifespanYears": 45
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Hippopotamus amphibius"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Herbivore"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Rivers, lakes, and wetlands"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "40–50 years in the wild"
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "1,000–1,500 kg (2,200–3,300 lb)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "30 km/h (19 mph) on land"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Vulnerable (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Rivers, lakes, and wetlands across sub-Saharan Africa.",
    "continents": [
      "Africa"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "Lewison, R. & Pluháček, J. (2017). Hippopotamus amphibius. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.",
      "url": "https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/10103/18567364"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Eltringham, S. K. (1999). The Hippos: Natural History and Conservation. Academic Press.",
      "url": null
    },
    {
      "citation": "Nowak, R. M. (1999). Walker's Mammals of the World (6th ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press.",
      "url": null
    },
    {
      "citation": "Animal Diversity Web — Hippopotamus amphibius. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.",
      "url": "https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Hippopotamus_amphibius/"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/hippopotamus/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/hippopotamus/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}