{"id":2190165,"date":"2026-03-06T06:00:50","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T05:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/?p=2190165"},"modified":"2026-03-05T19:17:50","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T18:17:50","slug":"astonishing-power-and-resilience-of-hippos-revealed-in-16-incredible-photos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/astonishing-power-and-resilience-of-hippos-revealed-in-16-incredible-photos\/","title":{"rendered":"Astonishing power and resilience of hippos revealed in 16 incredible photos"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dramatic images of hippopotamuses \u2013 from the muddy banks of the Luangwa River in Zambia to Botswana’s vast Okavango Delta.<\/p>\n

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With a rotund body, short legs and gigantic head, hippopotamuses, or hippos, are among the most striking-looking animals in Africa.<\/p>\n

These characterful semi-aquatic herbivores really are huge, with some individuals weighing as much as 3,200 kg \u2013 that’s roughly as heavy as a female\u00a0Asian elephant.<\/p>\n

Despite often being cited as ‘the most dangerous animal in Africa’, these powerful mammals also have a soft side.<\/p>\n

This stunning gallery of\u00a0hippo photos shows them in all their glory.<\/p>\n

\"Hippo
Despite their cumbersome appearance, these large mammals can reach running speeds of around 20 mph. Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Hippo
A 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: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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\"Aerial
Hippos, such as this one in the Okavango Delta in northern Botswana, can hold their breath for up to five minutes. Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Hippos
Two males clash in the Okavango Delta. Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Hippo
Hippos are herbivores and eat grass, leaves, fruit and aquatic plants. Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Egret
An egret on the hunt for parasites in the open mouth of a hippo on the Zambezi River \u2013 Africa’s fourth-longest river. Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Hippo
A hippo at Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe. Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Aerial
An aerial photo shows hippos wallowing in the muddy waters of iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Hippo
Hippos can produce a range of sounds, including grunts, growls and moans. Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Hippo\"
These water-loving animals can close their nostrils and ears to stop liquid from entering. Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Hippos
A group of hippos is called a ‘bloat’. Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Hippos\"
Hippos typically have around 36 teeth. Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Hippos
Long canine teeth, which can measure 50 cm in length, are used to fight off opponents. Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Hippos
A bloat of hippos in Katavi National Park, Tanzania. Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Hippos
A hippo wanders past a flock of flamingos on the shores of Lake Nakuru in Kenya. Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n

This article<\/a> by Daniel Graham was first published by Discover Wildlife on 18 February 2026. Lead Image: Hippos flighting on the Luangwa River in Zambia. Credit: Getty. Credit: Getty.<\/i><\/p>\n

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