Hippopotamuses are water-loving animals. Usually, they do not live in oceans. Mostly, they make their habitats near rivers. Peoples’ curious minds want to know do hippos live in the ocean. Well, it is not a common scenario that hippopotamuses are always found in the ocean. However, in west Africa hippopotamuses can be seen in the sea sometimes.

While hippos have been observed in the ocean in certain regions, their presence in saltwater habitats is rare. Hippos are primarily adapted to freshwater environments and are better suited to the conditions found in rivers and lakes. The ocean, with its vast saltwater expanse, presents challenges for hippos that they are ill-equipped to handle.

Hippos cannot swim or breathe underwater, and unlike most mammals they are so dense that they cannot float. Instead, they walk or run along the bottom of the riverbed. Because their eyes and nostrils are located on the top of their heads, they can still see and breathe while underwater.

While the name “hippopotamus” comes from a Greek word meaning “river horse,” hippos are not actually related to horses. Their closest living relatives may be pigs or whales and dolphins. Hippos spend most of their time in the water. Their unique skin needs to be wet for a large portion of the day.