are hippos vicious?

Answer 1

yes, they kill more people in africa than lions

Answer 2

Yes my mother in law is a right vicious hippo

Answer 3

Hippos are highly territorial; a male hippo often marks his territory along a riverbank from which to draw in a harem of females, while defending it against other males. Male hippos challenge one another with threatening gapes. Their canine teeth are 50 cm (20 inches) long, and it uses its head as a battering ram, especially against rival males while fighting over territory. Since their habitat is often encroached upon by farmers and tourists, and because they are so territorial, the hippopotamus is the most dangerous animal in Africa. They kill crocodiles and lions, and are even responsible for more human deaths than any other African animal. The hippo does not hunt humans, but defends its own territory vigorously.

Hippos are usually found in shallow water, and rarely come out of that depth. Most hippos that look as though they are floating are standing or lying on the bottom. They come on to land to feed, mostly at night, consuming as much as 50 kg (110 lb) of vegetation per day. They have been known to occasionally scavenge meat from animals found near their range, but hippos are not significantly carnivorous.


Three hippopotamuses at Flamingo Land Theme Park and Zoo, EnglandAdult hippos are not generally buoyant. When in deep water, they usually propel themselves by leaps, pushing off from the bottom. They move at speeds upto 8 km/h in water. Young hippos are buoyant and more often move by swimming, propelling themselves with kicks of their back legs. One hippo calf survived after being pushed out to sea during the tsunami generated by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and was rescued on a nearby island.

Baby hippos are born underwater at a weight between 25 and 45 kg (60−110 pounds) and must swim to the surface in order to take their first breath. The young often rest on their mothers' backs when in water that is too deep for them, and swim underwater in order to suckle.

Adult hippos typically resurface to breathe every 3–5 minutes. The young have to breathe every two to three minutes. The process of surfacing and breathing is automatic, and even a hippo sleeping underwater will rise and breathe without waking. Hippos have been documented staying submerged for up to thirty minutes. A hippo closes its nostrils when it submerges.

Adult hippos are extremely hostile toward crocodiles, which often live in the same pools and rivers as hippopotami. This is especially so when hippo calves are around. Hippos also seem to empathize with the prey of crocodiles and have been known to stand guard over dead and dying antelope on river banks.

Answer 4

They aren't "vicious" but they are extremely territorial and dangerous. They kill more people in Africa than lions do. I think it's more surprising because people assume hippos are big fat and slow,probably due to cartoons. We all know that Lions are dangerous because they are carnivores and attack animals while Hippos are herbivores, but will attack to protect.

Answer 5

When they are on land, they feel very vulnerable and will attack anything that gets close - including humans. When they are in the water, they are less of a threat - but don't try swimming with hippos.

Answer 6

I would not call hippos "vicious," but very territorial and highly aggressive. They're not sweet and cuddly animals, that's for sure!

Answer 7

Like any animal - they will defend their space and their families. Show them respect and they will respect you.
If you have ever been to a zoo and seen one close up they are enormous, have these square blocks for teeth and a jaw that can crush a human leg like a matchstick
All animals have the potential to be vicious, but unlike humans, they do it for a reason.

Answer 8

My wife is a hippo so I have to say yes

Answer 9

Hippo's are apparently the most dangerous animal on the planet because they kill more humans than any other.

Answer 10

Any animal is potentially vicious, especially if it feels threatened by you. Steer clear of wild life unless you're with an experienced guide or zookeeper.

Answer 11

Yes. A bloke canoeing down the Zambezi had his arm ripped off by one a few years ago.