Distribution: Cape Hippopotamus – South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, except possibly the far north Malawi, eastern Zambia and possibly extreme south-eastern D.R.C.

Size SH: 1.5m. W: 1 000kg

Description: Eyes, ears and nostrils on top of head. The main colour of smooth, shiny hide is purplish grey to blue-black. Underside, eye rims, ears and mouth show variable expanses of pink.

Sex Determination: Extremely difficult when in the water, males normally have a broader, flatter, and longer head than females, bigger and heavier body. Upper lip bumps (where bottom tusks push into the top lip) are more pronounced in the males.

Trophy Assessment: The lower tusks are a hippo’s impressive trophy; rule of thumb is that 2/3^rd of the tusk is in the jaw and 1/3^rd is visible. For a good trophy hippo big tusks, muscular and broad head will normally give you a good trophy.

Shot Placement: On land if there isn’t running water close by a shoulder shot is always a good option. In the water a brain shot is normally the only choice, between the eyes where the skin makes a triangle or on the back of the head above the neck.