Terrestrial habitat
Common Hippopotamus · Planet Zoo 2
Common Hippopotamus in Planet Zoo 2: habitat type, biomes, barrier grade, space, temperature, group limits and breeding values — the numbers you need before you place the first rock.
At a glance
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Hippopotamidae |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable |
| Native range | Africa |
| Biomes | Lakes and Rivers, Savannah, Wetlands |
| Habitat type | Terrestrial habitat |
| Content pack | Base game |
| Adult size | 4.5 m / 3.75 m (length) |
| Adult weight | 1750 / 1250 kg |
Care requirements
| Requirement | Verified value |
|---|---|
| Habitat temperature | 14°C to 36°C |
| Group size (mixed) | 3–30 |
| Group cap per sex | 1 / 29 |
| Land area | 502m² |
| Shelter area | 35m² |
| Barrier strength grade | 4 |
| Barrier height | 2m |
| Climb-proof barrier | No |
| Water barrier allowed | No |
| Terrain mix | Grass 20–60%, Sand 20–60%, Soil 0–60%, Rock 0–20%, Long grass 15–60% |
| Periodic food cost | $728.00 |
What this means for the build
- Barrier strength grade 4 with a minimum height of 2m is the Zoopedia requirement for this species.
- Keep the habitat between 14°C to 36°C; heaters and coolers are a running cost, not a one-off.
- Terrain mix must stay inside the ranges in the table: welfare checks the painted surface, not the object list.
- Plan at least 502m² of land area before adding shelter and enrichment objects.
- Shelter area of 35m² counts separately from the land area.
- Group size runs 3–30 mixed; overstocking shows up first as social welfare warnings.
Lifecycle and breeding
| Requirement | Verified value |
|---|---|
| Age of sexual maturity | 7 years |
| Gestation / incubation | 8 months |
| Interbirth period | 16 months |
| Litter size | 1-1 |
| Reproduction difficulty | Easy |
| Age of sterility | 40 years |
| Mating system | Polygynous |
| Offspring dispersal | None |
Enrichment that counts
- Food-based: Barrel Feeder - Hanging, Barrel Feeder - Large, Melon Feeder
- Habitat: Gyro, Skittle, Sprinkler, Rubbing Pillar, Waterfall and Metal Frame, Plant Screen, Large Tyre, Bubble Blower - Airstone, Mud Bath
Next decision
- Open the welfare debugger prefilled with Common Hippopotamus
- Sequence research, welfare and breeding for this species
- Check release readiness for this species
Source and version
Zoopedia record captured 2026-10-17 — official Zoopedia entry. Values change with patches; check the version before acting.
FAQ
FAQ
Common questions about this topic.
What habitat does the Common Hippopotamus need?
Terrestrial habitat — biomes: Lakes and Rivers, Savannah, Wetlands. Barrier grade 4, minimum height 2m.
What temperature does the Common Hippopotamus habitat need?
14°C to 36°C
How many Common Hippopotamus can live together?
3–30 mixed, cap per sex 1/29.
How long is the Common Hippopotamus gestation?
8 months, with an interbirth period of 16 months.