The hippo is found in western, central, eastern and southern parts of Africa. The hippo inhabits rivers and lakes, and wallows during the day. At night hippos graze in short grasslands.
Males are normally larger than females.
Reproduction Females sexually mature between the ages of 7 to 15 years but usually by the age of 9. Males sexually mature between the ages of 4 to 11 but usually by age 7. Mating season coincides with the dry season when hippo populations are concentrated at water sources. Mating usually occurs in the water and females are sometimes completely submerged. As a result females must push their heads above water to take occasional breaths of air.