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Differences Between Male & Female Hippos

The hippopotamus is the third largest land mammal in the world. Although three subspecies of hippopotamuses are extinct, two subspecies are still around. The common and pygmy hippopotamuses are found throughout Africa. A hippopotamus is semi-aquatic, spending the daytime submerged in rivers and lakes. At dusk it will leave the water to graze on grass. Male and female hippopotamuses have different physical features and behavior.

Body Size
- In both species the male is larger in length than the female. The male continues to grow throughout his life. However, a female stops growing at around age 25. Also, a male has a thicker body, weighing up to 7,000 pounds. One hippo weighed an amazing 10,000 pounds. Females are smaller, weighing up to 3,200 pounds.
Tusk Size
- A hippopotamus has a pair of tusks it uses to spar with other animals and to kill prey. The tusks are in the lower jaw. Like many other animals with tusks, the male hippopotamus has larger tusks than females. This is more noticeable in the common species than the pygmy, where tusk size is not as great.
Genitals
- The most obvious difference between male and female hippos is the genitals. A male has a penis, although it is often retracted. It is easier to spot a male's penis during mating season, when it can be out of his body. Females do not have outer genitals.
Social Behavior
- A male hippopotamus will spar with his tusks and head to defend his territory from another male.
  
  If you observe the social behavior of a group of hippopotamuses, you will be able to assign gender. A male hippopotamus exhibits aggressive behavior. He will mark his territory and welcome a group of females into it, along with their young. When another male enters, he will aggressively defend it by using his head as a battering ram. If a male loses the fight, he will have to live on his own.
Young Interaction
- A female hippopotamus will look after her young.
  
  The interaction between an adult hippopotamus and babies is another difference between males and females. A female hippopotamus gives birth during the wet season. You can distinguish a female hippopotamus at this time of year by the sight of a baby. A baby stays close to its mother, and she is protective over her young. She will often carry her baby on her back while she's in the water.

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