Common Hippopotamus, Hippopotamus, Large Hippo vs Emperor Penguin

Hippopotamus amphibius compared with Aptenodytes forsteri

Key Differences

• Common Hippopotamus, Hippopotamus, Large Hippo is Vulnerable while Emperor Penguin is Near Threatened.
• Common Hippopotamus, Hippopotamus, Large Hippo is herbivore while Emperor Penguin is carnivore.
• Common Hippopotamus, Hippopotamus, Large Hippo is 37.5x heavier than Emperor Penguin.
• Common Hippopotamus, Hippopotamus, Large Hippo lives longer (40 years vs 20 years).

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Common Hippopotamus, Hippopotamus, Large Hippo	Emperor Penguin
Kingdom same	Animalia (hewan)	Animalia (hewan)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Mammalia (mamalia)	Aves (burung)
Order	Artiodactyla (Hewan berkuku genap)	Sphenisciformes (Penguins)
Family	Hippopotamidae (Hippos)	Spheniscidae (Penguins)
Genus	Hippopotamus (Hippos)	Aptenodytes (Great Penguins)
Species	Hippopotamus amphibius	Aptenodytes forsteri

Evolutionary Relationship

Common Hippopotamus, Hippopotamus, Large Hippo and Emperor Penguin share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Common Hippopotamus, Hippopotamus, Large Hippo

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~130.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Emperor Penguin

NT — Near Threatened

Population: ~595.0K

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Common Hippopotamus, Hippopotamus, Large Hippo	Emperor Penguin
Diet	Herbivore	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	40 years	20 years
Average Length	3.5 m	1.1 m
Average Weight	1.5 t	40.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Common Hippopotamus, Hippopotamus, Large Hippo

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, and flooded grasslands and savannas, among 5 distinct biome types within the Afrotropic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Distributed across Colombia and Kenya. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Emperor Penguin

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, temperate coniferous forests, and boreal forests and taiga, among 4 distinct biome types within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Found in Norway. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Common Hippopotamus, Hippopotamus, Large Hippo

Africa's most dangerous large mammal, common hippos can reach 3,200 kg and inhabit rivers, lakes, and wetlands of sub-Saharan Africa. Semi-aquatic, spending up to 16 hours daily submerged to keep cool, they graze on land at night. Despite appearing docile, hippos are extremely aggressive and territorial, responsible for hundreds of human fatalities annually. Vulnerable, with populations threatened by habitat loss and illegal hunting for ivory tusks.

Emperor Penguin

The world's largest penguin, emperor penguins stand up to 1.2 meters and weigh 45 kg, inhabiting the Antarctic continent in some of the most extreme conditions on Earth. They breed in midwinter darkness at temperatures below -60°C, with males incubating single eggs on their feet under a brood pouch for 65 days while females are at sea. Their huddling behavior — cycling individuals through the warm center of thousands-strong groups — is a masterclass in cooperative survival.