Feeding ecology and activity patterns of Hippopotamus amphibious in the Dhidhessa Wildlife Sanctuary, Southwestern Ethiopia.

ABSTRACT: Understanding the dietary composition and activity patterns of hippopotamuses (Hippopotamus amphibious) is critical for assessing their ecological role within their habitat. This study investigated the feeding habits and behavioral rhythms of common hippopotamuses in the Dhidhessa Wildlife Sanctuary (DWS), Ethiopia, from 2022 to 2023. Dietary data were collected through direct observation of fresh feeding signs and fecal analysis, while activity patterns were recorded via continuous focal sampling of adult males and females at 30-minute intervals. Hippopotamuses allocated 30.1% of their time to resting, followed by movement (23.7%). Vocalizations (barking) constituted 53.1% of recorded behaviors, while yawning accounted for 46.9%. Males exhibited significantly more resting behavior than fe

SUBMITTER: Tefera GG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12334000 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature