The hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius), or hippo, from the ancient Greek for "river horse" (Ιπποπόταμος), is a large, mostly herbivorous mammal in sub-Saharan Africa, and one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae (the other is the Pygmy Hippopotamus.) The hippopotamus is the third largest land animal (after the elephant and the white rhinoceros) and the heaviest extant artiodactyl, despite being considerably shorter than the giraffe. 

Hippos measure 3.3 to 5.2 meters (11 to 17 ft) long, including a tail of about 56 centimeters (22 in) in length and average about 1.5 meters (5 ft) tall at the shoulder.The range of hippopotamus sizes overlaps with the range of the White Rhinoceros; use of different metrics makes it unclear which is the largest land animal after elephants. Even though they are bulky animals, hippopotamuses can run faster than a human on land. Estimates of their running speed vary from 30 km/h (18 mph) to 40 km/h (25 mph), or even 50 km/h (30 mph). The hippo can maintain these higher speeds for only a few hundred meters. 

The hippopotamus is semi-aquatic, inhabiting rivers and lakes where territorial bulls preside over a stretch of river and groups of 5 to 30 females and young. During the day they remain cool by staying in the water or mud; reproduction and childbirth both occur in water. They emerge at dusk to graze on grass. While hippopotamuses rest near each other in the water, grazing is a solitary activity and hippos are not territorial on land. 

The portly Hippo has kept us entertained for centuries with their uncomfortable gait on land and their loud-speaker like calls when in the water. The Hippo is one of Africa's iconic animals, much like the Elephants and the Lions yet we don't see them much because 95 percent of their bodies are usually hidden beneath the water. 

Hippopotamuses are by nature very hostile animals, especially when young calves are present. Frequent targets of their aggression include crocodiles, which often inhabit the same river habitat as hippos. Nile crocodiles, lions, and spotted hyenas are known to prey on young hippos. Hippos are very aggressive towards humans, whom they commonly attack whether in boats or on land with no apparent provocation. They are widely considered to be one of the few most dangerous large animals in Africa. 

To mark territory, hippos spin their tails while defecating to distribute their excrement over the greatest possible area. Hippos are retromingent, likely for the same reason. 

Hippos rarely kill each other, even in territorial challenges. Usually a territorial bull and a challenging bachelor will stop fighting when it is clear that one hippo is stronger. When hippos become overpopulated, or when a habitat starts to shrink, bulls will sometimes attempt to kill infants, but this behavior is not common under normal conditions. Some incidents of hippo cannibalism have been documented, but it is believed to be the behavior of distressed or sick hippos, and not healthy behavior. 

Hippo have been on the list as one of the most dangerous killers in Africa for a long while now and this is more due to their territorial temperament than their nature. As with humans, the older hippos get, the more cranky they are and it is these older bulls that have been kicked out of their family group, often with mortal wounds, that cause the many deaths in Africa each year. 

Hippo's live in family groups with a couple of older cows seeing over the younger ones and the babies while the dominant bull will keep all territorial challenges at bay. Watching these powerful masses of muscle chomp at each other with razor sharp saber-like teeth is a sight to behold. Often bulls will fight to the death yet most of the time the weaker will yield and run off. 

HUNTING TIPS 

Africa is full of storiestories of ferocious hippo that charge out of the water for no reason, trying to kill all passers by. While some old bulls do get defensive and a bit cranky, 90% of hippo are shot while they are in the water from about 50 yards away. A bull is usually chosen and head shot between the eyes or between the ear and eye. 

The hippo will usually float to the surface within half an hour or will be visible in shallow water whereupon it is retrieved and hauled to the bank. This is often the most interesting part as local fishermen or the PH's own trackers wade into the  crocodile-infested river to tie the rope around the hippo. 

RIFLE CALIBRE 

The most common shot for obvious reasons is the brain shot. Directly between the eyes or between the eye and the ear are the best areas to aim for. 

The .375 magnum is the minimum legal requirement for shooting hippo with a good quality solid. 

WHERE TO HUNT 

Hippo can be hunted in South AFrica with the relevant permits and CITES export permits. Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique are also countries with good Hippo populations.