The name hippotamus comes from the Greek words "hippos," meaning horse, and "potamus," meaning river. Though the hippo spends most of its day in the water, it is more closely related to the pig than the horse.

Wildlife Gallery
From elephants to lions, bongos to shoebills, Africa boasts some of the world’s most recognizable wildlife, and some of the world’s most exotic. AWF’s Wildlife Library serves as a valuable resource whether you are a student, a curious naturalist, or planning a visit to Africa. The Wildlife Gallery contains useful information about a wide array of African animals and their habitats, behavior, diet, and the threats facing them today.