A crocodile vs hippo is a comparison that many people make because of their similarities in habitats. Both like to live in rivers of tropical areas, so they sometimes come into conflict with each other.
They’re both considered to be apex predators, but a hippo would likely come out victorious against a crocodile.
Hippos are known for their brutality and their strength. Each year, hippos kill an estimated 500 people in Africa, which makes them the world’s deadliest animal.
Compared to crocodiles, they have superior strength and size. The crocodile, however, has a much more potent bite than a hippo does, but that probably wouldn’t help it in a fight.
Summary Table – Crocodile vs Hippo
| Crocodile | Hippo | |
|---|---|---|
| Strength (Bite Strength) | 3750 PSI | 1800 PSI |
| Size | Up to 17 feet | Up to 16.5 feet |
| Diet | Carnivore | Omnivore |
| Habitat | Rivers, lakes | Rivers, lakes |
| Conservation Status | Lower risk – vulnerable | Vulnerable |
Crocodile vs Hippo
Let’s compare an alligator vs hippo in different categories to see which animal comes out on top.
1. Strength
When we talk about the strength of these two animals, we can talk about their bite strength as well as their overall strength. The crocodile has a much more powerful bite of around 3750 PSI, but overall, the hippo is a stronger animal because of its size.
A lot of this will depend on the crocodile species. There are many smaller crocodiles out there that wouldn’t stand a chance against a hippo. The hippo also weighs more than a crocodile and it is more mobile, meaning that it would easily be able to surround it and put bites into its body.
One of the major reasons why hippos are stronger than crocodiles is their size. An alligator would usually be intimidated by an animal as large as a hippo, so it would like to avoid a fight against it. In some cases, hippos might be persistent enough to push for a fight, which might have disastrous consequences for one or both animals.
Both animals like to live in groups, so when they are up against a predator like a crocodile or a hippo, they would have each other’s backs. However, hippos will more commonly attack crocodiles in groups than vice-versa, because hippos are usually much more social than crocodiles and they help each other.
A crocodile might still attack a baby hippo because they are only intimidated by adult hippos. On the other hand, hippos might attack crocodiles all the time, especially if they live in the same habitat. Hippos are very aggressive animals by nature and won’t choose their opponents if they feel threatened.
2. Size
When comparing hippos and crocodiles, one thing is clear: hippos are usually larger than crocodiles. While they are often of the same length, it is the fact that hippos stand on four legs that makes them more menacing and imposing, which will often put fear into a crocodile.
The average size of a hippo is 16.5 feet, although a crocodile can be as big as 17 feet. However, the main difference here is the height. Hippos have longer legs and much larger and bulkier bodies, which will make them seem as though they are much larger than a crocodile.
Crocodiles might also sometimes be larger than hippos. After all, the largest ever recorded crocodile was Lolong, which was 40 feet large, which is more than double the size of an average hippo. But then again, hippos will still seem like too much of an obstacle even for a crocodile of that size because of their height.
One area where crocodiles have the advantage is in the water. This is where a hippo would usually like to avoid conflict with a crocodile because they are much more agile when they are in the water.
Read Also: Are Hippos Quiet but Fierce?
3. Diet
Hippos prefer a herbivorous diet. They are grazers, as they will eat larger quantities of grass and browse, but may turn to meat if there are no other food sources around, such as in a drought. On the other hand, crocodiles are heavily carnivorous and will almost never eat grasses or vegetables.
Even though hippos are well-known for their frequent attacks on humans and other animals, they rarely do it because of their instinct to get food. They do it mostly because of their highly aggressive and territorial nature. Hippos are overly protective towards their young members, so they will attack anything they see as a threat.
Crocodiles are carnivores. They are some of the best hunters around. Alligators will eat smaller fish, small frogs, lizards, crustaceans, and even smaller mammals. They have incredibly strong bites, which makes them capable hunters, but they’re also cunning as they hide and attack by ambushing.
4. Habitat
Crocodiles and hippos often share the same habitat. Crocodiles live near rivers in tropical habitats, and hippos prefer a more sub-Saharan habitat that is a bit drier. Frequently, though, these two animals will collide with each other as they share the same habitat.
Hippos prefer a slightly drier and warmer habitat than crocodiles. They like to keep cool by submerging themselves in water, so they need a constant water source to do that. Sometimes, they might encounter crocodiles when they do that, and that is when fights can potentially happen.
A crocodile also prefers to be near a water source, but for a different reason: hunting. They like both saltwater and freshwater habitats where they can go into the water and start hunting their prey in the water. They also come out of the water from time to time, but they would normally spend more time inside the water, depending on the species.
Read Also: Bear vs Hippo
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Conclusion
Hippos and crocodiles often come across each other and that is when they might collide and fight. Hippos are usually taller and larger than crocodiles, which is why they would usually win in a fight. But a crocodile’s bite strength is not to be underestimated – it helps them massively when they go out and hunt.
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