Most hippopotami, including extinct forms, belong to the genus Hippopotamus . Presently found only in Africa, Pleistocene hippos were found in Eurasia. A hippopotamus paddling in an African lake. Notice that the the ears, eyes and nostrils are all on the upper surface of the head, allowing the hippopotamus to survey its surroundings while exposing as little of its head as possible. Hippos are found in pools, rivers and wallows during the day but emerge to graze at night.
Hippopotamuses can walk along the bottom of rivers and pools on the tip of their feet.
Pygmy hippopotamuses spend less time in the water, but their sensitive skin is at less risk from the sun because they live in dense tropical forests. A pygmy hippo. The hippo is at risk from the effect of climate change on its watery refuge. If the African climate becomes drier the pools and rivers will dry up, leaving hippos homeless. A hippo mother and calf.