Hippos: What They Are and Where to See Them

Updated

Hippos are large, semi-aquatic mammals native to sub-Saharan Africa, and you can see them in person at zoos and aquariums that house them — including Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey, which lists hippos among its resident animals alongside sharks, penguins, sea turtles, and octopuses. If your goal is to understand what a hippo actually is and how to plan a visit to see one, the sections below cover the animal's basics, how to tell species apart, and what to check before you go.

What a Hippo Actually Is

The common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) is a massive, plant-eating mammal built for life in and around water. Key traits:

  • Semi-aquatic: Hippos spend much of the day submerged or partly submerged in rivers, lakes, and ponds, surfacing to breathe every few minutes. Their eyes, ears, and nostrils sit high on the skull so they can stay mostly underwater while still sensing their surroundings.
  • Herbivorous: Despite their size and reputation, hippos graze on grass, typically leaving the water at night to feed on land.
  • Social: They live in groups, usually led by a dominant male, and communicate through grunts, snorts, and other vocalizations.
  • Large: Adults are among the heaviest land mammals, with bulky bodies, short legs, and thick skin.

A common misconception is that hippos are related to pigs or are a type of whale. They are neither. Their closest living relatives are cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), a relationship supported by genetic and fossil evidence — but hippos themselves are fully terrestrial mammals that simply spend a lot of time in water.

Common Hippo vs. Pygmy Hippo

If you're visiting a zoo or aquarium, it helps to know which species you're looking at. The two are easy to confuse at a glance but differ in several ways:

Feature Common Hippo Pygmy Hippo
Size Much larger; adults can weigh several thousand pounds Substantially smaller, roughly a fraction of the common hippo's weight
Habitat preference Strongly tied to water; herds More solitary and more forest-adapted
Grouping Often in groups Usually alone or in small family units
Range Widespread across sub-Saharan Africa Restricted to West African forests

If an exhibit labels its animal simply "hippo," it is almost always the common hippopotamus. Pygmy hippos are rarer in collections and usually labeled specifically.

How to See Hippos at an Aquarium or Zoo

Aquariums and zoos that keep hippos typically display them in large indoor or outdoor pools with both underwater and above-water viewing areas. To make the most of a visit:

  1. Check the animal list first. Confirm the facility actually houses hippos before you go. Adventure Aquarium's own description names hippos among its animals, so it's a reasonable starting point if you're in the Camden area.
  2. Look up hours and daily activities. Hippo exhibits may have specific viewing times, feeding demonstrations, or keeper talks. Check the venue's calendar and hours page, since schedules change by day and season.
  3. Plan around the animal's routine. Hippos are often most active in water during the day and may be stationary or partly submerged. If you want movement, ask staff when the animals are typically most active or fed.
  4. Use both viewing levels. Underwater windows often give the clearest look at how hippos move and rest; above-water areas show their size and surface behavior.
  5. Check accessibility and policies. If you need step-free access, strollers, or have other requirements, review the venue's accessibility and policies pages before arriving.

What to Watch For

  • Surfacing and breathing: A hippo rising to the surface, nostrils flaring, is one of the clearest signs of how it manages life underwater.
  • Yawning and mouth-opening: Often a display behavior rather than tiredness — it shows the huge tusks and jaw.
  • Grouping: If you see several animals together, you're likely looking at common hippos rather than a pygmy hippo.

Practical Planning Notes

  • Pricing and tickets: Adventure Aquarium's site links to planning pages including "Plan Your Visit," a calendar, directions and parking, and policies. Check those pages directly for current ticket and entry details, since the provided information doesn't specify prices.
  • Location: Adventure Aquarium is in Camden, New Jersey, on the Delaware River waterfront, convenient to Philadelphia.
  • Combine with other animals: The same visit covers sharks, penguins, sea turtles, and octopuses, so hippos can be one stop in a broader itinerary.

If seeing a hippo in person is the goal, the reliable path is to confirm the species and exhibit at your chosen facility, check its calendar and hours, and plan your viewing around when the animals are most active.