---
title: "Black rhinoceros vs hippopotamus — size, weight and speed comp"
description: "Hippopotamus is 1.7× black rhinoceros on weight. Compared on 5 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/black-rhinoceros-vs-hippopotamus/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Black rhinoceros vs Hippopotamus

**Black rhinoceros vs hippopotamus: Hippopotamus is larger on weight**

Hippopotamus is 1.7× black rhinoceros on weight.

A black rhinoceros 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.*

|  | Black rhinoceros | Hippopotamus |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 800–1,400 kg | 1,300–3,200 kg |
| Height | 1.4–1.8 m | 1.3–1.65 m |
| Length | 3–3.8 m | 3.3–5 m |
| Top speed | 55 km/h | 25–30 km/h |
| Typical lifespan | 35–45 yr | 40–55 yr |

## What the numbers say

- Hippopotamus is 1.7× black rhinoceros on weight.
- Black rhinoceros and hippopotamus are near enough identical on height.
- Black rhinoceros and hippopotamus are near enough identical on length.
- Black rhinoceros is 1.8× hippopotamus on top speed.
- Hippopotamus is somewhat greater than black rhinoceros on typical lifespan — about 1.1×.

*Weight compared.*

- Hippopotamus: 1,300–3,200 kg
- Black rhinoceros: 800–1,400 kg

## Black rhinoceros

A browser with a pointed prehensile lip, smaller and more aggressive than the white rhino.

## 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, black rhinoceros or hippopotamus?

Hippopotamus is 1.7× black rhinoceros on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

### How do black rhinoceroses and hippopotamuses compare on height?

Black rhinoceros: 1.4–1.8 m. Hippopotamus: 1.3–1.65 m. Black rhinoceros and hippopotamus are near enough identical on height.

### How do black rhinoceroses and hippopotamuses compare on length?

Black rhinoceros: 3–3.8 m. Hippopotamus: 3.3–5 m. Black rhinoceros and hippopotamus are near enough identical on length.

## Related pages

- [Giraffe vs hippopotamus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/giraffe-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [Hippopotamus vs white rhinoceros](https://atoneplace.net/vs/hippopotamus-vs-white-rhinoceros/)
- [Black rhinoceros vs giraffe](https://atoneplace.net/vs/black-rhinoceros-vs-giraffe/)
- [American bison vs hippopotamus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [American bison vs black rhinoceros](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-black-rhinoceros/)
- [Asian elephant vs hippopotamus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/asian-elephant-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [African elephant vs hippopotamus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [Car vs hippopotamus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/car-vs-hippopotamus/)

## Sources

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