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How large can an adult male hippopotamus grow?
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hippopotamus
The word hippopotamus is Greek for “river horse,” which reflects their behavior: they are often seen basking on the banks or sleeping in the waters of rivers, lakes, and swamps across Africa. They favor shallow areas where they can sleep half-submerged, though these places can become quite crowded—as many as 150 hippos may use one pool in the dry season.
An adult male hippopotamus typically grows to a length of about 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) and stands approximately 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall. In terms of weight, adult males generally range from 1,600 to 3,200 kg (2 to 3.5 tons).12
Males are the larger sex, weighing roughly 30 percent more than females. This significant size advantage is a critical factor for dominant males, as it assists them in defending their territories and securing mating access.12