---
title: "American bison vs hippopotamus — size, weight and speed compar"
description: "Hippopotamus is 2× American bison on weight. Compared on 5 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-hippopotamus/
site: "At One Place"
---

# American bison vs Hippopotamus

**American bison vs hippopotamus: Hippopotamus is larger on weight**

Hippopotamus is 2× American bison on weight.

An American bison and a hippopotamus can be compared on 5 measures. The figures below are typical adult or full-size values, with the larger of the two in bold.

## Side by side

*Larger value in bold. Ranges reflect genuine variation, not uncertainty.*

|  | American bison | Hippopotamus |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 320–1,270 kg | 1,300–3,200 kg |
| Height | 1.5–2 m | 1.3–1.65 m |
| Length | 2.1–3.5 m | 3.3–5 m |
| Top speed | 56 km/h | 25–30 km/h |
| Typical lifespan | 15–25 yr | 40–55 yr |

## What the numbers say

- Hippopotamus is 2× American bison on weight.
- American bison is somewhat greater than hippopotamus on height — about 1.2×.
- Hippopotamus is somewhat greater than American bison on length — about 1.2×.
- American bison is 1.9× hippopotamus on top speed.
- Hippopotamus is 2.3× American bison on typical lifespan.

*Weight compared.*

- Hippopotamus: 1,300–3,200 kg
- American bison: 320–1,270 kg

## American bison

The heaviest land animal in the Americas; commonly called a buffalo, though true buffalo live in Africa and Asia.

## Hippopotamus

A semi-aquatic grazer, the third-heaviest land mammal and among the most dangerous to people.

> This is a comparison of published measurements, nothing more. It describes how two things differ on measures that have been recorded; it does not predict how they would fare against each other in any situation.

## Common questions

### Which is bigger, American bison or hippopotamus?

Hippopotamus is 2× American bison on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

### How do American bison and hippopotamuses compare on height?

American bison: 1.5–2 m. Hippopotamus: 1.3–1.65 m. American bison is somewhat greater than hippopotamus on height — about 1.2×.

### How do American bison and hippopotamuses compare on length?

American bison: 2.1–3.5 m. Hippopotamus: 3.3–5 m. Hippopotamus is somewhat greater than American bison on length — about 1.2×.

## Related pages

- [Giraffe vs hippopotamus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/giraffe-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [American bison vs giraffe](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-giraffe/)
- [Hippopotamus vs white rhinoceros](https://atoneplace.net/vs/hippopotamus-vs-white-rhinoceros/)
- [American bison vs cow](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-cow/)
- [American bison vs moose](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-moose/)
- [American bison vs Cape buffalo](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-cape-buffalo/)
- [American bison vs black rhinoceros](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-black-rhinoceros/)
- [Black rhinoceros vs hippopotamus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/black-rhinoceros-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [Asian elephant vs hippopotamus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/asian-elephant-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [American bison vs dromedary camel](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-dromedary-camel/)
- [American bison vs water buffalo](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-water-buffalo/)
- [African elephant vs hippopotamus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-hippopotamus/)

## Sources

- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution (https://naturalhistory.si.edu/)