The term “hippopotamus” is derived from a Greek word that means “water horse” or “river horse.” On the other hand, Hippos are not related to horses at all—their closest living relatives may be pigs, whales, and dolphins! The river, or common, hippo and the considerably smaller pygmy hippo are the two species of a hippopotamus.
Lifespan: Median life expectancy is 36 years.
| Class | Mammalia (Mammals) |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Hippopotamidae |
| Genus | Hippopotamus |
| Species | Amphibious |
Zoos with Hippos in the United States
Here are some zoos in the United States that have hippos:
- San Diego Zoo
- Los Angeles Zoo
- Denver Zoo
- Lincoln Park Zoo
- Memphis Zoo
- Philadelphia Zoo
- Cincinnati Zoo
- St. Louis Zoo
San Diego Zoo – San Diego, California
Visit the San Diego Zoo and choose your experience. It is one of the few zoos in the world that has successfully bred pygmy hippos, a smaller species of hippo that is native to West Africa.
Check out the live Hippo cam for a live encounter. The hippo exhibit at the San Diego Zoo is designed to mimic the hippos’ natural habitat in Africa, with a large pool of water, sandy beaches, and grassy areas.
Zoo Tickets:
- Adults (Ages 12+): $71
- Children (Ages 3-11): $61
Zoo Hours: 9 am to 6 pm
Location: 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101.
Los Angeles Zoo – Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles Zoo has both pygmy hippos and Nile hippos in its collection. The Los Angeles Zoo is committed to conservation efforts to protect hippos in the wild.
The Los Angeles Zoo also has a hippo webcam that provides a live view of the hippo exhibit, allowing visitors to see the hippos even when not at the zoo.
Zoo Tickets:
- Adults (Ages 13-61): $22
- Seniors (Ages 62+): $19
- Children (Ages 2-12): $17
Zoo Hours: 10 am to 5 pm
Location: 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027.
Denver Zoo – Denver, Colorado
The Denver Zoo is home to several hippos, which can be found in the Benson Predator Ridge exhibit area.
The hippo exhibit at the Denver Zoo is located near the Predator Ridge exhibit, which features several other large predators, including lions and hyenas.
Zoo Tickets:
- Adults (Ages 16-64): $24
- Seniors (Ages 65+): $21
- Children (Ages 3-15): $18
Zoo Hours: 10 am to 5 pm
Location: 2300 Steele Street, Denver, CO 80205
Lincoln Park Zoo – Chicago, Illinois
Lincoln Park Zoo is home to several Pygmy Hippopotamus. At the Lincoln Park Zoo, visitors can observe the pygmy hippos in their habitat, which includes a pool and a dry land area.
Pygmy hippos are less aquatic than their larger counterparts and spend more time on land, though they still require access to water for swimming and bathing.
Zoo Tickets: Free
Zoo Hours: 10 am to 5 pm
Location: 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60614
Memphis Zoo – Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis Zoo is a great destination for animal lovers and families looking for a fun and educational experience. Visitors are able to observe the hippos in their habitat, which includes a pool and other water features.
The zoo also offers educational programs or presentations about hippos and their behavior, diet, and natural habitat.
Zoo Tickets:
- Adults: $23
- Seniors (Ages 60+): $22
- Youth (Ages 12-21): $ 23
- Children (Ages 2-11): $18
Zoo Hours: 9 am to 5 pm
Location: 2000 Prentiss Pl, Memphis, TN 38112
Philadelphia Zoo – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Zoo offers interactive experiences, such as animal encounters and feeding opportunities, which may provide visitors with a more hands-on and immersive experience.
One unique feature of the Philadelphia Zoo is its Zoo360 animal exploration trail, which allows some animals to move around the zoo in a network of exploration trails and see visitors from different perspectives.
Zoo Tickets:
- Adults (Ages 12+): $25
- Children (Ages 2-11): $20
Zoo Hours: 9:30 am to 5 pm
Location: 3400 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden – Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is home to the world-famous hippo Fiona. The Zoo was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1987 due to its significant architecture.
The Cincinnati Zoo also offers a variety of special events and interactive experiences, such as animal encounters, behind-the-scenes tours, and even overnight stays at the zoo.
Zoo Tickets:
- Adults (Ages 13-61): $24
- Children (Ages 3-12): $18
- Senior (Ages 62+): $18
Zoo Hours: 10 am to 5 pm
Location: 3400 Vine St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45220
St. Louis Zoo – St. Louis, Missouri
The Saint Louis Zoo is a zoo in Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri. St. Louis Zoo is Living Promise Initiative, which focuses on animal well-being, sustainability, and community engagement. This initiative includes conservation efforts both locally and globally, as well as education and outreach programs to inspire visitors to take action to protect animals and their habitats.
Zoo Tickets: Free
Zoo Hours: 9 am to 5 pm
Location: 1 Government Drive, St. Louis, MO 63110
These zoos with hippos in the US are popular attractions and allow visitors to learn about and appreciate these fascinating animals.
