Hippo vs Rhino: Check the Key Differences

Hippos and rhinos are two of the biggest animals in the world. Both are strong and heavy and live in Africa. At first glance, they may seem similar. But when you look closely, you'll see they are very different. Hippos spend most of their time in rivers and lakes. They love water and can hold their breath for several minutes. Rhinos, on the other hand, are terrestrial animals. They roam grasslands and forests, using their horns to protect themselves. Hippos have large mouths with sharp teeth. They are known for being aggressive, especially in water. 

Rhinos have thick skin and one or two horns on their heads. They are usually calm but can charge if they feel threatened. Hippos live in groups called pods. Rhinos are mostly solitary and prefer to be alone.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at the key differences between hippos and rhinos. We'll compare their size, behaviour, diet, and habitat. You'll learn how each animal survives in the wild and how they interact with other animals. We'll also explore which one is more dangerous and who might win in a fight.

What Are The 10 Quick Facts About Rhinos?

1. There are five species of rhino: These include two in Africa (the white and black rhino) and three in Asia (the greater one-horned, Javan, and Sumatran rhinos).
2. They aren't actually black or white: The names of black and white rhinos are misleading, as both species are actually grey. The white rhino is thought to have gotten its name from a mistranslation of the Afrikaans word "wyd", meaning "wide" and referring to its broad, square lip.
3. Their horns are made of keratin: Rhino horns are not bone. They are composed of keratin, the same protein that makes up human hair and fingernails.
4. They have a keen sense of smell but poor vision: Rhinos rely more on their powerful sense of smell to navigate their environment and detect threats. Their eyesight is not excellent, and they may have difficulty seeing a person standing still from a distance.
5. A group of rhinos is called a "crash": The collective noun for a group of rhinos is a crash. Individual male rhinos are referred to as "bulls", while females are called "cows".
6. They communicate through poo: Rhinos use their dung (poo) and urine to mark their territory and communicate with other rhinos. They can detect the scent of different individuals in communal dung piles, also known as "latrines".
7. Some rhinos are critically endangered: Three of the five rhino species—the black, Sumatran, and Javan rhinos—are listed as "critically endangered" by the IUCN, with very low populations remaining in the wild.
8. They are massive herbivores: Rhinos are some of the largest land animals on Earth. The white rhino, for example, can weigh over 3,500 kg (7,700 lbs). Despite their immense size, they are herbivores and primarily eat grass and leaves.
9. They love mud baths: Rhinos enjoy rolling around in mud puddles, which helps them cool off, protect their skin from the sun, and ward off insects.
10. They can be surprisingly fast: Despite their bulky size, rhinos are capable of running at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour (64 km/h) for short distances when they feel threatened.

What Are The 10 Quick Facts About Hippos?

1. They are the third-largest land animals: After elephants and some species of rhino, hippos are the heaviest land animals, with males weighing up to 8,000 pounds (3,600 kg).
2. A group is called a "bloat": The collective noun for a group of hippos is a "bloat", but they are also referred to as a "pod" or "herd".
3. They are surprisingly fast on land: Despite their bulky bodies, hippos can run at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour (32 km/h) for short distances.
4. They don't actually swim: Hippos lack sufficient buoyancy to float. Instead of swimming, they walk or run along the bottom of rivers and lakes, pushing off the ground to move through the water.
5. They are not related to pigs: Despite a passing resemblance, their closest living relatives are actually whales and dolphins.
6. Their name means "river horse": The word "hippopotamus" comes from the ancient Greek words "hippos" (horse) and "potamos" (river), which means "river horse".
7. They secrete their own sunscreen: Hippos have a unique reddish, oily substance that oozes from their skin. This "hippo sweat" helps protect them from the sun and acts as a natural antiseptic.
8. They are herbivores: Despite their fearsome tusks and jaws, hippos are vegetarians. They mainly graze on grass at night, often travelling miles from the water to feed.
9. They are considered one of the most dangerous animals in Africa: Hippos are highly territorial and aggressive, especially in the water. They are known to attack and have been responsible for more human deaths in Africa than any other large animal.
10. They have two species: There are two types of hippos: the common hippo, which is classified as "Vulnerable," and the much smaller pygmy hippo, which is "Endangered" due to habitat loss and poaching.

What Do Rhinos And Hippos Have In Common?

Rhinos and hippos have several things in common:

• Large African Mammals: Both are massive, non-primate mammals native to Africa.
• Herbivores: Despite their intimidating appearance, both are plant-eaters.
• Thick Skin: They possess very thick, tough skin for protection.
• Dependence on Water: Both species spend significant time in or near water to cool down and protect their skin from the sun.
• Poor Eyesight: They have relatively poor vision but compensate with a strong sense of smell and hearing.
• Conservation Status: Both face significant threats from habitat loss and poaching, leading to vulnerable or endangered classifications.
• Solitary or Group Lifestyles: While rhinos are often solitary, hippos live in groups; however, both can be found near others for safety or resources.

Who Lives Longer, A Rhino Or A Hippo?

In general, a rhino lives longer than a hippo.

• Rhino Lifespan: On average, a rhino's lifespan is between 35 and 50 years in the wild, with some species, like the white rhino, having a longer average lifespan. In captivity, they can live even longer, sometimes reaching over 50 years.
• Hippo Lifespan: A hippo's average lifespan is about 40-50 years in the wild. While they can live into their late 50s in captivity, their average lifespan tends to be slightly shorter than that of a rhino.

Who Is Faster, A Rhino Or A Hippo?

While both are surprisingly fast for their size, a rhino is generally quicker than a hippo on land.

• Rhino Speed: Rhinos can reach top speeds of up to 55 km/h (about 34 mph), with the black rhino being the fastest of the species. They are known for their rapid acceleration in short bursts.
• Hippo Speed: Hippos can run at speeds of up to 48 km/h (about 30 mph), but they can only maintain this speed for a short duration.

While a rhino is faster on land, a hippo's strength lies in its semi-aquatic nature. In the water, where a rhino is at a significant disadvantage, a hippo is agile and dominates its environment.

Who Would Win In A Fight: A Rhino Or A Hippo?