A female hippopotamus, a large semi-aquatic African mammal, is formally known as a cow. The common hippo, or Hippopotamus amphibius, spends a significant portion of its day submerged in water to keep its skin cool and protected from the sun. This immense creature is found across sub-Saharan Africa. The term “cow” is the designation applied to the female sex of this species.
Hippo Naming Conventions
The practice of calling a female hippo a cow is part of a broader nomenclature pattern applied to many large herding mammals. The adult male hippopotamus is referred to as a bull, and their young are known as calves. These terms are shared with species like cattle, whales, elephants, and giraffes.
A collective group of hippos is most commonly called a bloat, though the terms herd or crash are also sometimes used. This standardized vocabulary is used for both the common hippopotamus and the smaller pygmy hippopotamus.
Social Behavior of Female Hippos
Female hippos form the stable core of the social group, or bloat, which typically consists of 5 to 30 individuals. The cow’s primary social function is maternal care and the protection of her young. Females give birth to a single calf, often in the water, after a gestation period of approximately eight months.
A mother may separate herself from the group for up to two weeks after birth to bond with her calf before rejoining the bloat. The cow is fiercely protective because young calves are vulnerable to predators such as crocodiles and lions. Calves are often observed resting on their mother’s back, particularly in deep water, using her as a temporary raft for safety.
Physical Distinctions Between Genders
While both sexes are massive, there are physical differences between the cow and the bull. Adult bulls tend to be larger than cows, though the difference in body mass is not pronounced, with males averaging only about 5% more in weight. Females generally reach their maximum size around 25 years of age, whereas males continue to grow throughout their lives.
The most noticeable difference is in the size of the teeth and jaw structure, which is crucial for male-to-male competition. Bull hippos develop much larger, more prominent tusks and significantly heavier lower jaws, sometimes up to 42% heavier than those of a cow. These features are displayed during territorial disputes, as the dominant bull defends a specific stretch of river and the females within his range.