European Hippopotamus
Hippopotamus amphibius
🦛
Chordata
Mammalia
Artiodactyla
Hippopotamidae
Hippopotamus
Hippopotamus amphibius
The modern species of hippopotamus, Hippopotamus amphibius, once thrived across Pleistocene Europe during warm interglacial periods, from Iberia to Britain.
Description
Hippopotamus amphibius — Though today confined to sub-Saharan Africa, the modern hippo had a wide Pleistocene range, including large parts of Europe. It migrated northward from Africa during warm interglacials, with fossil remains found as far north as Yorkshire and the Rhine. Standing over 1.5 meters tall and weighing up to 3,200 kg, the European population inhabited river valleys, wetlands, and lakeshores. The species persisted in southern Europe (e.g., Greece) until at least 30,000 years ago, disappearing during the coldest phases of the last Ice Age.
Quick Facts
Max Mass
Shoulder Height
Standing Height
Length
Diet
Trophic Level
1400
1.5
2.25
3.8
kg
m
m
m
Mixed Feeder
Herbivores – Grazers
Hunt History
There is limited direct evidence of Paleolithic hunting of European H. amphibius, but it is likely that Neanderthals and early modern humans occasionally scavenged or hunted these massive animals, especially juveniles. Stone tools and cut-marked bones have been found in association with hippopotamus remains at some Middle and Upper Paleolithic sites, including in Italy and the Balkans.
Three Early Archaeological Sites with Evidence of Human Interaction:
Castel di Guido, Italy (~300,000 years ago) – Cut marks and tools linked to H. amphibius butchery
Isernia La Pineta, Italy (~600,000–500,000 years ago) – Hippo bones with lithic associations
Vlychada Cave, Greece (~40,000 years ago) – Late survival and potential modern human interaction
Time & Range
Extinction Status
Regionally Extinct
Extinction Date
Temporal Range
Region
30000
BP
Late Pleistocene
Europe
Wiki Link
Fat Analysis
Fatness Profile:
High
Fat %
15
Est. Renderable Fat
210
kg
Targeted Organs
Subcutaneous belly/flank fat
Adipose Depots
Thick subcutaneous (belly/flank), visceral; marrow
Preferred Cuts
Back/flank subcutaneous fat
Hunt Difficulty (x/5)
5