There are two hippo species found in Africa. The large hippo (Hippopotamus Amphibius), found in East Africa, occurs south of the Sahara. This is the most common species and they are social group-living mammals.
In some areas, their numbers are so vast that “culling” is used to control populations that have become larger than the habitat can sustain.
The other, much smaller (440 to 605 pounds) species of hippo is the pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis Liberiensis). This species is very rare and is limited to restricted areas in West Africa where they are shy, solitary forest dwellers.
