Scientists in Ethiopia spent over a year watching hippopotamuses to understand what they eat and when they’re active. They discovered that hippos spend about 30% of their time resting and eat mostly grasses, with their diet changing between wet and dry seasons. The hippos were most active early in the morning and late in the afternoon, while they rested during the hottest part of the day. Male and female hippos showed some different behaviors, with males resting more than females. This research helps wildlife managers protect hippos and their habitats more effectively.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How hippopotamuses spend their time (eating, resting, moving around) and what plants they eat in an Ethiopian wildlife area
  • Who participated: Adult male and female hippopotamuses living in the Dhidhessa Wildlife Sanctuary in southwestern Ethiopia, observed from 2022 to 2023
  • Key finding: Hippos spend about one-third of their time resting, eat mostly grasses (especially a type called Typha), and change their eating habits depending on whether it’s the wet or dry season
  • What it means for you: This research helps wildlife experts better protect hippos by understanding their needs. If you care about wildlife conservation or live near hippo habitats, knowing their behavior patterns helps prevent human-wildlife conflicts and ensures these animals have the food and space they need to survive

The Research Details

Scientists observed hippopotamuses in their natural habitat over 16 months, watching them continuously and recording what they did every 30 minutes. They also collected and analyzed hippo droppings to see exactly what plants the animals had eaten. The researchers looked at both male and female hippos to see if their behaviors differed. They recorded observations during different times of day and in different seasons to understand how hippos change their routines based on weather and food availability.

The team used two main methods to study diet: they looked for fresh signs of feeding (like eaten plants) and they examined fecal samples (poop) to identify which plant species the hippos had consumed. This two-part approach gave them a complete picture of what hippos actually eat versus what they prefer to eat.

They also paid special attention to when hippos were most active, noting whether they were resting, moving, eating, or making sounds. This helped them understand the hippos’ daily schedule and how it changes with the seasons.

Understanding hippo behavior in their natural setting is important because it shows us how these animals fit into their ecosystem and what they need to survive. This knowledge helps wildlife managers make better decisions about protecting the habitat and preventing problems between hippos and people who live nearby.

This study was published in PLoS ONE, a respected scientific journal that makes research available to the public. The researchers used direct observation and scientific analysis of samples, which are reliable methods. However, the study doesn’t specify exactly how many hippos were observed, which would help readers understand the scope of the research. The long study period (over a year) is a strength because it captures seasonal changes in behavior and diet.

What the Results Show

Hippopotamuses spent their time in different ways: about 30% resting, 24% moving around, and the rest doing other activities. Interestingly, when researchers recorded specific behaviors, they found hippos barking 53% of the time and yawning 47% of the time. Male hippos rested more than females, suggesting they may have different energy needs or strategies for survival.

The hippos’ daily schedule followed a clear pattern: they were most active (eating and moving) in early morning and late afternoon, while they rested most during the middle of the day when it was hottest. Both males and females made more sounds (barking and yawning) in the afternoon.

The diet analysis revealed hippos eat 34 different plant species, but they strongly prefer grasses, which made up 60% of their diet. One grass species called Typha latifolia was their favorite, eaten 9.4% of the time. The hippos’ eating habits changed dramatically between seasons: they foraged (searched for food) 77% of the time during the wet season but only 23% during the dry season, showing they eat much more when plants are abundant.

The research identified that 21 plant species were available to hippos year-round, providing a consistent food source even during dry seasons. The variety of plants consumed (34 species from 12 different plant families) shows hippos are flexible eaters and can adapt to what’s available. The seasonal shift in foraging behavior is significant because it demonstrates how hippos adjust their routines based on environmental conditions.

This study adds detailed information about hippo behavior in a specific African location. While scientists have studied hippos before, this research provides new data about the exact plants they eat and their precise activity patterns in Ethiopia. The findings align with general knowledge that hippos are mostly active at dawn and dusk (called crepuscular behavior) and rest during hot daylight hours, but this study provides specific percentages and seasonal details that weren’t previously documented for this population.

The study doesn’t specify the exact number of hippos observed, making it unclear how representative these findings are of the entire population. The research was limited to one wildlife sanctuary in Ethiopia, so the results may not apply to hippos in other regions with different climates or plant availability. The study period of 16 months, while good for capturing seasonal changes, is relatively short for understanding long-term trends. Additionally, the researchers couldn’t always identify every plant species from fecal samples, which means some dietary information may be incomplete.

The Bottom Line

Wildlife managers should protect the wet-season habitats where hippos find most of their food and ensure year-round access to the 21 plant species available throughout the year. Communities living near hippos should understand that hippos are most active early morning and late afternoon, so avoiding these times reduces conflict risk. Conservation efforts should focus on maintaining diverse plant communities rather than single plant species. Confidence level: High for habitat management recommendations, moderate for human-wildlife conflict prevention since the study didn’t directly address this.

Wildlife managers and conservation organizations should use this information to protect hippo habitats. Communities living near hippos should understand hippo behavior to coexist safely. Researchers studying African wildlife will find this data valuable. People interested in animal behavior and ecology will find this research interesting. This study is less relevant to people in regions without hippos, though it contributes to global wildlife knowledge.

Changes from these conservation strategies would take time to show results. Habitat improvements might take 1-2 years to noticeably affect hippo populations. Reducing human-wildlife conflicts through behavior awareness could show benefits within months as people adjust their activities to avoid peak hippo activity times.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If you live near hippos or work in wildlife management, track seasonal changes in hippo activity and feeding patterns using a simple log: record date, time of day, hippo behaviors observed, and plant species visible. Compare your observations across wet and dry seasons to see if local hippos follow the patterns found in this research.
  • Use this research to plan activities around hippo activity patterns: avoid water sources and hippo habitats during early morning (5-8 AM) and late afternoon (4-7 PM) when hippos are most active. During midday when hippos rest, these areas are safer to use. In dry seasons, hippos concentrate around remaining water sources, so extra caution is needed then.
  • Create a long-term observation system by recording hippo activity at the same locations and times each month. Track which plants are available in different seasons and note how hippo behavior changes. Share observations with local wildlife authorities to help them understand how hippo populations are adapting to environmental changes over time.

This research describes hippo behavior in one specific wildlife sanctuary in Ethiopia and may not apply to all hippo populations worldwide. The findings are based on observational data and should not be used as the sole basis for making major conservation or safety decisions. Anyone living near hippos should consult with local wildlife authorities for specific safety guidelines and conservation strategies. This article is for educational purposes and does not replace professional wildlife management advice. If you encounter hippos in the wild, always follow local wildlife safety guidelines and maintain a safe distance.