Life cycle
A baby hippo is born in the water and starts swimming right away. I think it's really cool that they are born knowing how to swim. Baby hippos weigh about 55-120 pounds at birth. About the weight of a large adult dog!
Young hippos can stay underwater for about 30 seconds. At about 3 weeks old, the hippo stops nursing from its mother and begins to eat grass. Baby hippos often will climb up on their mothers back to take a nap when they are tired.
Young hippos can stay underwater for about 30 seconds. At about 3 weeks old, the hippo stops nursing from its mother and begins to eat grass. Baby hippos often will climb up on their mothers back to take a nap when they are tired.
As hippos get a little older, they will still stay near their mothers. But they will do eat and play by themselves. But they won't go too far. Hippos don't actually leave their mothers until they are a full grown adult, when they are about 7-8 years old.
In the picture to the left, a hippo about 2 years old is looking for grass to eat without his mother.
In the picture to the left, a hippo about 2 years old is looking for grass to eat without his mother.
At about 8 years old. The hippo has left its mother. Now it starts to look for a mate (wife or husband). Boy hippos usually find a herd of hippos that has recently lost their leader and become the leader of that herd. But girls will join their mates pack. After a hippo has a mate, they will start their own family. Girl hippos usually only have 1 calf at a time. But occasionally will have twins (just like people).
Around the age of 40-50 years old, the hippo becomes slower and doesn't eat as much. This is around the time of death. The hippo in the picture to the left, is one of the oldest hippos ever! Her name is Donna and she lived in a zoo in Indiana. Where she had lived since she was 5 years old! She died at 61 years old when it became hard for her to walk and her kidneys weren't working as well. But she was given a nice funeral at the zoo and was even buried at the zoo! All the workers were sad to see her go, Donna had been at the zoo longer than some of the workers.