1. Grasses: Hippopotamuses mainly graze on short grasses found along riverbanks and floodplains. They spend a considerable amount of time grazing, particularly at night when they actively feed.
2. Aquatic Plants: Hippos also consume a variety of aquatic plants, including water lilies, water hyacinths, reeds, and other vegetation growing in or near water bodies. These plants provide essential nutrients and moisture to their diet.
3. Fruits: Some hippopotamuses have been observed eating fallen fruits from trees near their habitats, such as figs and berries. However, fruits only occasionally supplement their primary diet of grasses and aquatic plants.
4. Bark: In certain instances, hippos have been known to strip bark from trees to consume. However, this behavior is uncommon and only observed in some cases when other food sources are scarce or unavailable.
It is important to note that hippos are primarily grazing herbivores, and the bulk of their diet consists of grasses and aquatic vegetation. While they might consume fruits or bark on rare occasions, these are not regular dietary components.