Learn the facts: Are hippos related to whales? | EcoTraining

The “hippo” meaning horse and “potamous” meaning river, was named by the ancient Egyptians.

The common hippopotamus, or hippo, is a large, mostly herbivorous, semiaquatic mammal and ungulate native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae.

Until 1909, naturalists grouped hippos with pigs, based on molar patterns. Several lines of evidence, first from blood proteins, then from molecular systematics, DNA and the fossil records, show that their closest living relatives are cetaceans – whales, dolphins and porpoises. The common ancestor of hippos and whales branched off from Ruminantia and the rest of the even-toed ungulates; the cetacean and hippo lineages split soon afterwards.

Do you want to know more about the hippopotamus?

Watch our latest video and learn the facts about Africa's third-largest land mammal after elephants and white rhinos.

[alexandercampbell]

Like the video, but the over-the-top Colonial English accent hurts my ears and scrambles my brain.

[alexandercampbell]

I do not think the accent is real. It is not funny; almost racist and insulting; and mars the great work you are doing.

Please speak normally.

Thank you.