Hippopotamus 3 Oz - 2013 Congo

Hippopotamus - Animals of Africa

Hippos (Hippopotamus amphibius) are also called large hippos or hippopotamus and are large, herbivorous mammals that live in Central and South Africa. They are classically assigned to the even-toed ungulate family - however, according to current teaching, whales are the closest relatives. It is estimated that there are between 120,000 and 150,000 animals left today and are therefore among the endangered species.

The hippopotamus is most threatened in West Africa, although there are still comparatively many animals in East Africa. Countries where there is a relatively high occurrence are: Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Sudan, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe and a few animals in South Africa (mainly in the Kruger National Park).

In the Southern Sahara, until around 2,000 years ago, many animals lived in the lakes that were still there at the time. At the beginning of the 19th century, animals still lived in the Nile Valley in Egypt. In the so-called Eem warm period (approx. 120,000 years ago) there were even hippos in the rivers of the Rhine and the Thames, which can be proven by bone finds..

Limited mintage of only 500 coins

Each coin contains 3 oz of .999 Silver.

**Stands in images are not included.