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Asian elephant vs Hippopotamus

Asian elephant vs hippopotamus
Asian elephant is larger on weight
Asian elephant is 2.3× hippopotamus on weight.

An Asian elephant and a hippopotamus can be compared on 4 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.
Asian elephant Hippopotamus
Weight 2,000–6,000 kg 1,300–3,200 kg
Height 2–3.4 m 1.3–1.65 m
Length 5–6.4 m 3.3–5 m
Typical lifespan 48–70 yr 40–55 yr

What the numbers say

  • Asian elephant is 2.3× hippopotamus on weight.
  • Asian elephant is 1.8× hippopotamus on height.
  • Asian elephant is 1.6× hippopotamus on length.
  • Asian elephant is somewhat greater than hippopotamus on typical lifespan — about 1.3×.

Weight compared.

Asian elephant 2,000–6,000 kg
Hippopotamus 1,300–3,200 kg

Asian elephant

Smaller than the African elephant, with smaller ears and only the bulls usually carrying tusks.

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, Asian elephant or hippopotamus?
Asian elephant is 2.3× hippopotamus on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.
How do Asian elephants and hippopotamuses compare on height?
Asian elephant: 2–3.4 m. Hippopotamus: 1.3–1.65 m. Asian elephant is 1.8× hippopotamus on height.
How do Asian elephants and hippopotamuses compare on length?
Asian elephant: 5–6.4 m. Hippopotamus: 3.3–5 m. Asian elephant is 1.6× hippopotamus on length.

Related pages

Sources

  1. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution

How these figures are compiled and checked