Difference between Hippopotamus and Rhinoceros

Key Difference: Hippopotamus is a large and herbivorous semi aquatic animal which belongs to the Hippopotamidae family of class Mammalia. Rhinoceros is a large, heavy, herbivorous odd-toed ungulate which belongs to the Rhinocerotidae family of class Mammalia. They both differ in numerous characteristics; however the most distinctive feature of a Hippopotamus is that its ears, eyes and nostrils are present on top of the head. On the other hand, Rhinoceros possess distinctive features like hard, thick skin and presence of one or two large horns.

Hippopotamus (hippo) is an animal that appears like an elephant. It is a native of warmer places and is mainly found in the middle parts of Africa. As Hippos fall under the category of semi-aquatic mammal, they generally inhabit shallow lakes, river and swamps. They have an extremely large, fat and round body. A male generally weighs from 1.5 to 3.2 tons (3,000 to 6,400 lbs) whereas a female can weigh from 1.4 to 2.5 tons (2,800 to 5,000 lbs). They possess short legs and a short tail. They can swim with the help of partly webbed toes. They have bulging eyes and short ears. One can be surprised by knowing that an adult hippo can stay under water for five to six minutes.

Generally, they stay in a colony comprising of 30 to 100 individuals. It consists of single male and many females along with the young ones. Hippos are herbivorous.

On the other hand, Rhinoceros (Rhino) is also a massive and powerful animal. It belongs to any of the genera - Rhinoceros, Atelodus, and several allied genera of the family Rhinocerotidae. They are usually found in Southeast Asia and Africa. They have a very thick skin disposed in plates and folds, and also have one or two stout conical median horns on their snout. Like Hippopotamus, it is also an herbivorous mammal. All the species of the Rhinoceros family weighs nearly one tons or even more. They have a relatively small brain (400–600 g). There are five species of this mammal that are found in the world. Out of these five, three species are regarded critically endangered. The five species of Rhino includes the White Rhino, Black Rhino, Indian Rhino, Sumatran Rhino and the Javan Rhino. It is regarded as the second biggest land mammal in the world.  

They have an excellent hearing power, but poor eyesight. They are herbivores but still they are known to be very aggressive in nature. Rhinos are killed for their precious horns by the poachers. These horns are made up of keratin. 

Hippopotamus and Rhinoceros differ in numerous characteristics; however the most distinctive feature of a Hippopotamus is that- its ears, eyes and nostrils are present on top of the head. On the other hand, a rhinoceros possess distinctive features like hard, thick skin and presence of one or two large horns. Hippopotamus is a semi acquatic mammal, whereas Rhinoceros is a land mammal.

Comparison between Hippopotamus and Rhinoceros:

 

Hippopotamus

Rhinoceros

Definition

Hippopotamus is a large and herbivorous semi-aquatic animal which belongs to the Hippopotamidae family of class Mammalia.

Rhinoceros is also a large, heavy herbivorous odd-toed ungulate which belong to the Rhinocerotidae family of class Mammalia.

Kingdom

Animalia

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Chordata

Class

Mammalia

Mammalia

Order

Artiodactyla

Perissodactyla

Family

Hippopotamidae

Rhinocerotidae

Scientific name

Hippopotamus amphibius

Rhinocerotidae

Meaning of the name

Greek for "river horse"

from Ancient Greek rhinokerōs, composed of (rhis, “nose”) + (kéras, “horn”)

Food

Herbivorous - fruit, grass, leaves, and vegetables

Herbivorous - grasses, leaves, shoots, buds and fruits

Target of poachers due to

Mainly for the teeth, tusks

Horn

Expected Age

40 and 50 years old

Most live till 60 years old or more

Weight

1tonne - 4.5tonnes

800-3,500kg

Habitat

Rivers, swamps and protected areas

Grassland and open savannas

Gestation

About 240 days

16 months

Predators

Humans, lions, crocodiles

Human

Size

13 feet long and 5 feet tall

About 60 inches at the shoulder

Skin & Hair

Very thick skin with almost no hair

Javan and Indian Rhinos are hairless. White Rhino has hair on ear fringes and tail bristles. They have a thick skin disposed in plates and folds

Mouth

Enormous mouth and teeth

White Rhinos have the distinctive flat broad mouth

Black rhino's have pointed lip

Horns

No horns

One or two horns

Lifestyle

Nocturnal

Solitary

Distinctive features

Ears, eyes and nostrils on top of the head

Hard, thick skin and one or two large horns

Color

Grey, Brown, Black, Pink

Brown, Grey, Black

Image Courtesy: softpedia.com, wikimedia.org 

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