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Animal field guide
Hippopotamus vs Tiger
Compare the same curated facts on both sides, with metric and imperial units together.
Side-by-side facts
Hippopotamus vs Tiger
| Feature | Hippopotamus | Tiger |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Hippopotamus amphibius | Panthera tigris |
| Diet | Herbivore (grazer) | Carnivore |
| Habitat | Rivers, lakes & wetlands | Forests, mangroves & grassland |
| Typical lifespan | 40โ50 years | 10โ15 years |
| Typical adult weight | 1300โ1800 kg (2866โ3968.3 lb) | 90โ310 kg (198.4โ683.4 lb) |
| Typical body length | 330โ500 cm (129.9โ196.9 in) | 180โ280 cm (70.9โ110.2 in) |
| Recorded top speed | 30 km/h (18.6 mph) | 65 km/h (40.4 mph) |
| Social group | Bloat | Solitary |
Figures are typical stored ranges, not limits for every individual, sex, subspecies or breed. Body length is nose-to-rump except for very tall species, where the field guide records height.
Direct answer
What the stored figures show
- Tiger has the higher recorded top speed in this field guide.
- Hippopotamus has the higher upper adult-weight figure in the stored range.
- Hippopotamus has the higher upper body-length figure in the stored range.
- Hippopotamus has the higher upper lifespan figure in the stored range.
These figures describe different traits; they do not make either animal universally better.
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