Head to head
Nile Crocodile vs Hippopotamus
The Nile crocodile and the hippopotamus share the same African rivers and lakes, and both kill hundreds of people a year. They are not natural enemies — the hippo is a grazer, the crocodile a carnivore — but they compete for space, and when they clash the crocodile almost always backs down.
| Nile Crocodile | Hippopotamus | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 225–750 kg (large males to ~1 tonne) | 1,300–1,800 kg (males), up to ~2 tonnes |
| Diet | Carnivore — fish, mammals, birds, carrion | Herbivore — grazes grass at night on land |
| Bite force | Among the highest ever measured (~22,000 N) | Even higher; jaws gape ~150–180° |
| Temperament | Ambush predator; avoids animals its own size | Extremely aggressive and territorial in water |
| In a confrontation | Retreats; will not challenge an adult hippo | Charges, bites, and can crush a crocodile |
| Danger to people | ~300+ deaths a year | ~500 deaths a year — the deadliest large land animal in Africa |
| Time in water | Most of the day; hunts from the water | Daylight hours; feeds on land at night |
| Young | Guarded by the mother for months | Fiercely defended; crocodiles avoid hippo calves |
Crocodile vs Hippo: common questions
Who would win, a crocodile or a hippo?
A healthy adult hippo, almost every time. It is two to four times heavier than a large Nile crocodile, its bite is even more powerful, and it is far more aggressive in the water. Crocodiles share rivers with hippos constantly but avoid confrontation and give hippo mothers and calves a wide berth.
Do crocodiles eat hippos?
Rarely, and usually only scavenging a hippo that has already died, or occasionally taking a small, sick, or isolated calf. A group of large crocodiles will feed on a hippo carcass. Predating a healthy adult is not realistic.
Which kills more people, hippos or crocodiles?
Hippos, narrowly — an estimated 500 deaths a year against 300 or more for crocodiles (mostly the Nile crocodile). Both figures are rough. Together they make African rivers among the most dangerous places for humans in terms of wildlife.