The extinct Hippopotamus gorgops, known for its distinctive high eye sockets, inhabited African rivers and lakes during the Pleistocene epoch. This large herbivore, similar in size to modern hippos, had a robust body and primarily grazed on riverine vegetation. It played a crucial role in its ecosystem by shaping riverine landscapes.

Hippopotamus gorgops, an extinct species of hippopotamus, was native to Africa and parts of Europe. Fossil evidence suggests it lived during the Pliocene to the Pleistocene epochs. Its geographical distribution included regions that are now modern-day Kenya, Ethiopia, and parts of Europe such as Greece and Italy.

Hippopotamus gorgops inhabited wetland areas such as rivers, lakes, and swamps. These environments provided abundant water sources necessary for their semi-aquatic lifestyle, similar to the habitat preferences of the contemporary common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius). The climate during the Pliocene and Pleistocene varied, but these habitats typically featured warm temperatures with seasonal variations.

This species occupied a niche similar to that of modern hippos, acting as large herbivorous mammals in aquatic and semi-aquatic ecosystems. They likely played a significant role in their ecosystems by affecting vegetation dynamics and providing prey for large carnivores of the time. The presence of water bodies was crucial for their survival, providing both a habitat and a means for thermoregulation.