The hippopotamus once believed to be herbivore now known to sometimes eat meat, is one of the most surprising facts in the animal kingdom. For decades, scientists and wildlife experts considered hippos to be strictly plant eaters, grazing on grass and other vegetation during their nightly walks on land. However, recent observations in the wild have revealed unexpected and unsettling behavior—hippos occasionally eat meat.
These large semiaquatic mammals, which spend most of their time in rivers and lakes across sub-Saharan Africa, have been seen scavenging carcasses, and in some cases, even attacking and consuming other animals. Some rare but well-documented instances include hippos feeding on wildebeest, antelope, and even other hippos. This behavior is believed to occur under specific environmental pressures, such as drought, food shortages, or competition, when plant food is scarce.
While the hippopotamus once believed to be herbivore now known to sometimes eat meat is not considered a regular predator, this dietary flexibility has surprised scientists. It challenges our understanding of herbivorous mammals and highlights how adaptable some species can be when survival is at stake. The hippo’s digestive system is still better suited for vegetation, but its massive jaw and sharp teeth are capable of delivering deadly force, which may explain its ability to consume meat when necessary.
This discovery changes how we view the ecology of African freshwater systems and the hippo’s role in its environment. These findings also remind us that even familiar animals may still have secrets hidden in their natural behavior.
