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Summary of Description:
Adventure Aquarium‘s Assistant Curator Mark Hacker provides information on the diet of Nile hippopotamuses, which includes grasses, aquatic plants, and small amounts of fruit and bark.
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What do Nile Hippopotamuses Eat?
Are you curious about what Nile hippopotamuses eat? If so, you’re in luck! Adventure Aquarium’s Assistant Curator, Mark Hacker, is here to tell us about it.
Hacker explains that Nile hippopotamuses are herbivores, meaning they eat plants. Their diet consists mainly of grasses, aquatic vegetation, and fruits. The Hacker also notes that they eat various aquatic plants, including water lilies and papyrus.
Hacker explains that hippos can consume up to 80 pounds of food daily. To put that into perspective, that’s the equivalent of about two full-sized watermelons!
The Hacker also points out that hippos must consume large amounts of food because they can weigh up to 4,000 pounds. This is why they spend most of their day grazing in the water.
The Hacker also explains that hippos have an interesting digestive system. Their intestines are divided into three sections, making it easier for them to digest their food.
Finally, Hacker explains that hippos are important to their environment because they help to spread plant seeds. As they graze, they disperse the roots, helping to promote the growth of new plants.
So, the next time you’re wondering what Nile hippopotamuses eat, you can rest assured that they are getting the nutrition they need from various plants. Thanks to Mark Hacker for helping us learn more about these fascinating creatures!
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Source Description
Learn more about what Nile hippopotamuses eat from Adventure Aquarium’s Assistant Curator Mark Hacker.
