How do hippos live?

Hippos are large herbivorous mammals native to sub-Saharan Africa, living in rivers, lakes, and swamps. They are mostly nocturnal and spend most of the day submerged in water to keep cool, emerging at night to feed. Hippos graze on grasses and water plants, consuming large quantities of food—up to 40 kg of vegetation each night. They are social animals, living in groups called pods, which are usually led by a dominant male. Hippos communicate with each other using vocalizations, such as grunts and wheezes. Females give birth to a single calf after a 8-month gestation period, and the calf remains in the water with the mother for safety until it is old enough to join the pod.