Hippopotamus vs. Rhinoceros — What's the Difference?

A large African mammal living near water

A herbivore with thick, gray skin

A species with skin that secretes a pinkish fluid

An animal with poor eyesight but acute hearing

An herbivore with a massive body and short legs

A species that's heavily poached for its horn

A member of the family Hippopotamidae

A large mammal known for its horn or horns

A creature known for its wide-opening mouth

A member of the family Rhinocerotidae

The hippopotamus ( HIP-ə-POT-ə-məs; Hippopotamus amphibius), also called the hippo, common hippopotamus or river hippopotamus, is a large, mostly herbivorous, semiaquatic mammal and ungulate native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae, the other being the pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis or Hexaprotodon liberiensis).

A rhinoceros (, from Greek rhinokerōs 'nose-horned', from rhis 'nose', and keras 'horn'), commonly abbreviated to rhino, is a member of any of the five extant species of odd-toed ungulates in the family Rhinocerotidae, as well as any of the numerous extinct species therein. Two of the extant species are native to Africa, and three to Southern Asia.

A large, chiefly aquatic African herbivorous mammal (Hippopotamus amphibius) having thick, dark, almost hairless skin, short legs with four toes, and a broad, wide-mouthed muzzle. Also called river horse.

Any of several large thick-skinned ungulate mammals of the family Rhinocerotidae, having one or two upright horns on the snout, and including the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) and white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) of Africa, the Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) of India and Nepal, and the Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus) and Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) of Southeast Asia.

The pygmy hippopotamus.

Any of several large herbivorous ungulates native to Africa and Asia of the five extant species in the three extant genera in the family Rhinocerotidae, with thick, gray skin and one or two horns on their snouts.

A large, semi-aquatic, herbivorous (plant-eating) African mammal (Hippopotamus amphibius; common hippopotamus).

(paleontology) A member of the superfamily Rhinocerotoidea, including hornless members of the extinct genus Paraceratherium.

Any similar animal of the family Hippopotamidae.

Any pachyderm belonging to the genera Rhinoceros, Atelodus, and several allied genera of the family Rhinocerotidæ, of which several living, and many extinct, species are known. They are large and powerful, and usually have either one or two stout conical median horns on the snout.

A large, amphibious, herbivorous mammal (Hippopotamus amphibius), common in the rivers of tropical Africa. It is allied to the hogs, and has a very thick, naked skin, a thick and square head, a very large muzzle, small eyes and ears, thick and heavy body, and short legs. It is supposed to be the behemoth of the Bible. Called also zeekoe, and river horse. A smaller species (Hippopotamus Liberiencis) inhabits Western Africa.

Massive powerful herbivorous odd-toed ungulate of southeast Asia and Africa having very thick skin and one or two horns on the snout

Massive thick-skinned herbivorous animal living in or around rivers of tropical Africa

Yes, the hippopotamus secretes a pinkish fluid that acts as a natural sunscreen.

Yes, despite its docile appearance, the hippopotamus can be one of Africa's most aggressive animals.

Both are large, but the white rhinoceros can be larger than the hippopotamus in terms of weight.

Yes, both the hippopotamus and rhinoceros are herbivores, though their diets differ.

While most rhinoceros species are grayish, their exact color can vary depending on the species and habitat.

Yes, both the hippopotamus and rhinoceros play crucial roles in shaping their respective ecosystems.

The rhinoceros has an acute sense of hearing, compensating for its poor eyesight.

There are five species of rhinoceros: white, black, Indian, Javan, and Sumatran.

The rhinoceros is poached primarily for its horn, which is in demand for traditional medicine and as a status symbol.

The hippopotamus spends a significant amount of time in water, compared to the mostly land-dwelling rhinoceros.

Despite its size, a hippopotamus can run up to 19-25 mph on land for short distances.

No, the hippopotamus is semi-aquatic, living near freshwater but also venturing on land.

No, rhinoceros horns are made of keratin, the same material as human fingernails.

The rhinoceros has particularly thick and rough skin, whereas the hippopotamus has smoother skin that's more sensitive to the sun.

While both face threats, certain species of rhinoceros, like the Javan and Sumatran, are critically endangered.