As a zoo keeper, I get to work with all sorts of amazing animals, but one of my favorites has got to be baby hippos. Hippos are fascinating creatures, and their babies are just as interesting. Today, I want to share with you some fun facts about baby hippos.
First of all, did you know that baby hippos are born underwater? That’s right! They are able to hold their breath for up to 40 seconds while they are born, and they instinctively swim to the surface to take their first breath. Isn’t that amazing?
Another cool fact about baby hippos is that they are born with an impressive set of teeth. Even though they don’t start eating solid food until they are a few weeks old, they have a full set of razor-sharp teeth that help them nurse from their mother.
Speaking of nursing, did you know that baby hippos drink their mother’s milk for up to eight months? That’s a long time compared to other mammals! And because hippos are such big animals, they need a lot of milk to grow. In fact, a baby hippo can drink up to 10% of its body weight in milk each day.
But perhaps the most surprising thing about baby hippos is how fast they grow. In just one week, a baby hippo can double its weight! And by the time they are two years old, they can weigh as much as 1,000 pounds. That’s a lot of hippo!
Well, I hope you enjoyed learning about baby hippos today. If you ever get the chance to visit a zoo, be sure to stop by and say hello to these incredible creatures.
