30 Hippopotamus Trivia Quiz Questions & Answers

Hippopotamuses, often referred to as “hippos,” are large, aquatic mammals that capture our attention with their imposing size, unique behaviors, and unexpected agility in water. Found in Africa’s rivers and water bodies, hippos are a vital part of their ecosystems, playing a complex role in maintaining the balance of aquatic habitats. Let’s explore the profile of hippos to understand their characteristics, behaviors, and their significant place in the natural world.

Physical Characteristics:

Size and Appearance: Hippos are among the largest land mammals, with stout bodies, short legs, and massive heads.
Skin Protection: Their skin is extremely thick, offering protection from the sun and potential predators. They secrete a reddish liquid that acts as a natural sunscreen.

• Part 1: 30 hippopotamus trivia questions & answers
• Part 2: Download hippopotamus questions & answers for free
• Part 3: Free online quiz making platform – OnlineExamMaker

Part 1: 30 interesting hippopotamus trivia questions and answers

1. What is the scientific name for the hippopotamus?
a) Hippopotamus amphibius
b) Hippopotamus maximus
c) Hippopotamus africanus
d) Hippopotamus giganteus
Answer: a) Hippopotamus amphibius

2. What is the common name for a group of hippos?
a) Herd
b) Pod
c) Flock
d) Troop
Answer: b) Pod

3. Which continents are wild hippos found in?
a) Africa and Asia
b) South America and Africa
c) Africa and Australia
d) North America and Africa
Answer: a) Africa and Asia

4. What is the primary habitat of hippos?
a) Deserts
b) Rainforests
c) Grasslands
d) Swamps and rivers
Answer: d) Swamps and rivers

5. What is the main diet of hippos?
a) Meat
b) Grass and plants
c) Fish
d) Fruits and berries
Answer: b) Grass and plants

6. Which of the following is NOT a physical adaptation of hippos to aquatic life?
a) Webbed feet
b) Streamlined body
c) Dense fur
d) Valves in ears and nostrils
Answer: c) Dense fur

7. What is the average weight of an adult hippopotamus?
a) 500-800 pounds
b) 1000-1500 pounds
c) 2000-3000 pounds
d) 4000-6000 pounds
Answer: c) 2000-3000 pounds

8. What is the most dangerous behavior of hippos that makes them responsible for more human deaths in Africa than any other large animal?
a) Their ability to jump great distances
b) Their strong bite force
c) Their speed on land
d) Their aggression in defending their territory
Answer: d) Their aggression in defending their territory

9. How long can hippos hold their breath underwater?
a) About 5 minutes
b) About 10 minutes
c) About 15 minutes
d) About 30 minutes
Answer: c) About 15 minutes

10. What is the hippo’s closest living relative?
a) Elephants
b) Rhinoceroses
c) Dolphins
d) Manatees
Answer: b) Rhinoceroses

11. What is the function of the hippo’s unique secretion known as “blood sweat”?
a) Cooling their body temperature
b) Repelling parasites
c) Camouflaging their skin
d) Marking their territory
Answer: b) Repelling parasites

12. How fast can a hippo run on land?
a) Up to 10 mph (16 km/h)
b) Up to 20 mph (32 km/h)
c) Up to 30 mph (48 km/h)
d) Up to 40 mph (64 km/h)
Answer: b) Up to 20 mph (32 km/h)

13. Which part of a hippo’s body is not buoyant and allows them to walk underwater?
a) Legs
b) Hump
c) Head
d) Tail
Answer: a) Legs

14. What is the average size of a hippo’s newborn calf?
a) About 10 pounds
b) About 25 pounds
c) About 50 pounds
d) About 75 pounds
Answer: b) About 25 pounds

15. How do hippos communicate with each other?
a) Roaring
b) Whistling
c) Singing
d) Chirping
Answer: a) Roaring

Part 2: Download hippopotamus questions & answers for free

16. What is the term for the process of hippos regurgitating partially digested food and chewing it again?
a) Mastication
b) Chomping
c) Regurgitation
d) Ruminating
Answer: d) Ruminating

17. What is the largest land animal after elephants and rhinoceroses?
a) Giraffe
b) Lion
c) Hippopotamus
d) Crocodile
Answer: c) Hippopotamus

18. What is the typical social structure of a hippo pod?
a) Solitary
b) Matriarchal
c) Patriarchal
d) Hierarchical
Answer: b) Matriarchal

19. What is the scientific name for the pygmy hippopotamus, a smaller relative of the common hippo?
a) Hippopotamus amphibius minor
b) Hippopotamus africanus pygmaeus
c) Choeropsis liberiensis
d) Microhippo minor
Answer: c) Choeropsis liberiensis

20. What is the hippo’s primary method of cooling down in the hot African sun?
a) Panting
b) Rolling in mud
c) Taking frequent baths
d) Seeking shade
Answer: b) Rolling in mud

21. What is the name for the ivory-like teeth of hippos that have historically been mistaken for elephant ivory?
a) Horns
b) Tusks
c) Canines
d) Fangs
Answer: c) Canines

22. What is the name of the hippo character in Disney’s “The Lion King”?
a) Timon
b) Pumbaa
c) Simba
d) Nala
Answer: b) Pumbaa

23. What is the typical lifespan of a hippopotamus in the wild?
a) 10-20 years
b) 20-30 years
c) 30-40 years
d) 40-50 years
Answer: b) 20-30 years

24. What is the hippo’s main natural predator?
a) Lions
b) Crocodiles
c) Hyenas
d) Leopards
Answer: b) Crocodiles

25. What is the hippo’s primary sense for detecting danger?
a) Sight
b) Smell
c) Hearing
d) Touch
Answer: c) Hearing

26. What is the purpose of the hippo’s large, muscular lips?
a) To help them chew tough plants
b) To assist in vocalizations
c) To attract mates
d) To provide protection against predators
Answer: a) To help them chew tough plants

27. What is the name for the behavior of a hippo opening its mouth wide to display aggression or territorial dominance?
a) Chirping
b) Grinning
c) Gaping
d) Smiling
Answer: c) Gaping

28. What is the term for a hippo’s process of secreting a red fluid that appears to be blood, but is actually a skin moisturizer and sunblock?
a) Blood sweat
b) Sun secretion
c) Skin fluid
d) Protective secretion
Answer: a) Blood sweat

29. What is the IUCN conservation status of the common hippopotamus?
a) Critically Endangered
b) Endangered
c) Vulnerable
d) Least Concern
Answer: c) Vulnerable

30. How do hippos mark their territory in the wild?
a) Scratching trees
b) Spraying urine and feces
c) Digging burrows
d) Making vocalizations
Answer: b) Spraying urine and feces

Part 3: Free online quiz creating platform – OnlineExamMaker

OnlineExamMaker is a powerful and user-friendly software tool that allows educators, trainers, and businesses to create interactive online quizzes and assessments. With OnlineExamMaker quiz software, you can easily design and distribute quizzes to evaluate knowledge, gather feedback, and measure performance.

OnlineExamMaker is cloud-baed and mobile friendly, the created exams can be access on various devices, including desktop computers, laptops, smartphones, and tablets, allowing you to test your connection speed anytime, anywhere. You can personalize your quizzes by adding your branding elements such as logos, colors, and custom backgrounds. You can also set time limits, randomize question order, and customize feedback messages based on learners’ responses.