Berlin Zoo has a number of hippos and a reasonably large tank to keep them in. Some five million litres of water are filtered here over 24 hours to keep them happy and the fish present in the water also help keep their tank fresh. The 1,000 m² glass roof is made up of more than 800 individual panes and was the largest self-supporting double dome in Europe when it opened in 1997.
The large canines and incisors of hippos play a significant role in their everyday life. Hippos live in savannahs where they inhabit the banks of rivers and lakes. Hippos usually snooze in the water during the day, where often only their ears, eyes and the nostrils of their powerful mouth peer out.
They may even take a nice soak in the mud too to help moisturise and protect their skin. They become livelier at night and head to the shores to eat the succulent grass. Hippos in Africa are found in the south Sahara commonly close to rivers and lakes.
Hippos are herbivores and so they subsist on plant food. Grass is their favorite. Hippos are often between 2.7 to 3 meters in length and weigh from 1 to 3 tons. They gestate their young for around 8 months and live to around 50 years old. The hippos dive under the water with their nostrils folded, allowing them to stay underwater for six minutes before they have to resurface once again. Hippos give birth underwater and mark their territory with piles of excrement. Astonishingly a hippo’s teeth grow back all throughout their lives and effectively sharpen themselves.
The animals primarily use their large canine tusks for self-defense. They hardly need them to eat. As herbivores they tear off their food with their lips and just chew it up languidly with their molars. A newborn hippopotamus calf was born recently at Berlin Zoo which shows how carefully they look after their hippos. The parents have been picked very carefully to they are not aggressive and will look after the baby hippo. Nala the mother is now 13 years old and the baby was born in September 28th 2025 so still very young. Sadly the baby is just one of twins as one died at birth. Only 1% of all Hippo births are twins.
The number of hippos has declined by an estimated 10 to 20 per cent within the last ten years. The reasons for this include the hunt for ivory, the incisors and canines of the animals, and the continuing loss of their habitat. Despite their bulk, they can run at speeds of up to 22 mph on land over short distances. Also they are so dense that they cannot float, so they walk or bounce on the bottom of rivers and lakes. In the wild they typically live in groups called pods, bloats, or herds, with some groups containing over 100 individuals. The name “hippopotamus” is derived from the Greek words for “river horse”. Their closest living relatives are strangle enough cetaceans like whales and dolphins.
Hippos are considered one of the most dangerous animals in Africa due to their aggression and powerful bite. Female hippos are said to produce bright pink milk but actually it’s a misconception. The mothers secrete a red-orange oil that is part of their natural sunscreen and antibiotic, which can mix with the baby as they feed.
Yes, the hippopotamus sounds were one of several elements, including human voices and hyena sounds, that were blended together to create Jabba the Hutt’s laugh and overall vocal effects.
Hippo vocalisations can reach up to 115 decibels, which is about as loud as a rock concert or a chainsaw One of the most common sounds is a deep, rumbling grunt which serves as a warning to potential intruders, signaling their presence and asserting their authority.
