Hippopotamus Gestation Calculator
Last updated
A hippopotamus's gestation period is about 240 days, or roughly 7 months and 3 weeks, though it ranges from 225 to 250 days depending on breed and individual animal.
Calculate a calf due date
Estimated calving date
Wednesday, 2 June 2027
Earliest
18 May 2027
Latest
12 Jun 2027
0 of 240 days elapsed
Milestone timeline
| Day | Milestone | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Mating takes place in the water, usually in the dry season | 5 Oct 2026 |
| 120 | Mid gestation; no reliable outward sign in a wild cow | 2 Feb 2027 |
| 200 | Abdomen visibly fuller; in zoos, keepers prepare a calving pool | 23 Apr 2027 |
| 240 | Expected calving, often timed to the rainy season | 2 Jun 2027 |
How to use the hippopotamus gestation calculator
- 1. Choose what you know. Enter the breeding date to get a due date, or switch to the target due date mode to work backwards to the breeding date you need.
- 2. Refine the inputs. The calculator uses the 240-day average for this species.
- 3. Plan around the range. Use the earliest and latest dates and the milestone timeline to schedule checks, feed changes and preparation of the calving area.
How long is a hippopotamus' gestation period?
The average is 240 days from breeding to calving, about 7 months and 3 weeks. Anything between 225 and 250 days is normal, and a typical litter is 1 calf. Treat the calculated date as the middle of that window rather than a fixed appointment.
Hippopotamus gestation table: breeding date to calving date
Breeding dates one week apart with the matching calving date at 240 days.
| Breeding date | Expected calving date |
|---|---|
| 5 Oct 2026 | 2 Jun 2027 |
| 12 Oct 2026 | 9 Jun 2027 |
| 19 Oct 2026 | 16 Jun 2027 |
| 26 Oct 2026 | 23 Jun 2027 |
| 2 Nov 2026 | 30 Jun 2027 |
| 9 Nov 2026 | 7 Jul 2027 |
| 16 Nov 2026 | 14 Jul 2027 |
| 23 Nov 2026 | 21 Jul 2027 |
| 30 Nov 2026 | 28 Jul 2027 |
| 7 Dec 2026 | 4 Aug 2027 |
| 14 Dec 2026 | 11 Aug 2027 |
| 21 Dec 2026 | 18 Aug 2027 |
Working backwards from a target calving date
If you want calfs on the ground in a particular week, switch the calculator to target date mode and enter the date you are aiming for. It subtracts 240 days to give the breeding date to book, plus the earliest and latest service dates that still land inside your window.