What happens to hippopotamuses during droughts or famines?

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A hippopotamus stands at the edge of a watering hole, with several other hippos partially submerged in the water, surrounded by green vegetation in Botswana, Africa. — 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.

During times of drought or famine, hippopotamuses may be forced to undertake overland migrations, which often result in many deaths.1

Under normal conditions, hippos rely on specific aquatic "day living spaces" to remain submerged, as they lose water rapidly through their skin and require these periodic dips to avoid dehydration and regulate their body temperature. During the dry season, these pools can become extremely crowded, with as many as 150 individuals sharing a single area. When these resources fail due to environmental stress, the animals' survival is severely compromised.21