ORDER ARTIODACTYLA: EVEN-TOED UNGULATES 415 



Nigerian Hippopotamus 



HIPPOPOTAMUS AMPHIBIUS TSCHADENSIS Schwarz 



Hippopotamus amphibius tschadensis Schwarz, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 8, 

 vol. 13, p. 31, Jan. 1914. (Katana, Bornu, northern Nigeria.) 



FIGS.: Dugmore, A. R., 1910, 7 plates facing p. 96, pi. opp. p. 98; Shortridge, 

 1934, vol. 2, pi. opp. p. 643; Miller, G. S., Jr., op. cit., pis. 1-4 (skull). 



As a species the big Hippopotamus formerly ranged all over 

 Africa except in the Sahara, keeping to the larger streams, down to 

 the very mouth of the Nile. Five subspecies are currently recog- 

 nized, based on small characters, particularly of the skull. Shortridge 

 believes, however, that the race constrictus of Angola is inseparable 

 from capensis of South Africa. In typical Hippopotamus amphibius, 

 the least width of the nasal bones is said to be less than 1.25 inches, 

 while the least width of the rostral constriction goes about 5.5 times 

 or more in the greatest length of the skull. In the race kiboko, the 

 nasal bones are wider, 1.5 inches or more, and the least width of 

 the rostral constriction goes about five times in the skull length. 

 In tschadensis, the face is short and broad, the orbits strongly pro- 

 jecting and laid forward, and the cheek-tooth series is shorter than in 

 the typical race. In the race constrictus, which may prove identical 

 with capensis, the rostral constriction is much greater than in 

 typical amphibius, and goes more than six times in the length of the 

 skull. How far these supposed differences will hold good is yet to 

 be demonstrated. The precise limits of range of the different 

 forms, and even their validity, are not as yet well ascertained ; hence 

 the species may be treated as a unit. 



Of ponderous size, with a large, squarish head, small ears, eyes 

 placed high, short stout limbs, and 4-toed feet, it is nearly hairless 

 except for a few tufts on the lips, at the sides of the head and neck, 

 at the tips of the ears, and the end of the tail. Skin thick, of a "dirty 

 or greyish black above, lighter below." Incisors and lower canines 

 large and tusklike. Length, 10 to 12 feet; tail, about 13 inches; 

 height at shoulder, 4 feet 8 inches. Weight of one living in the Lon- 

 don Zoological Gardens, 4 tons. Record length of lower canine tusk, 

 not malformed, 48 inches on outer curve, but 35 inches is a large size. 



The Hippo has been known from ancient times, but on account 

 of its large size and its damage to crops near its aquatic habitat it is 

 persistently hunted; its meat is in favor among native tribes in 

 Africa, and its hide is used in making whips. Formerly there was 

 much use of its tusks in the manufacture of false teeth, and they are 

 still used to some extent as ivory. Otherwise the species is of rela- 

 tively little economic value, but in regions of human settlement 

 it may become somewhat of a nuisance, destroying crops or attacking 

 canoes and boats with little or no provocation. It has been suggested 



