The Cutest Thing You’ve Ever Seen: A Baby Hippo Swimming Underwater - A-Z Animals

Hippos may not have a reputation as the most elegant animals, but when they are babies and when they are under the water they are mesmerizing! You will not be able to take your eyes off this gorgeous little hippo swimming confidently in a zoo pool. It’s almost as if the baby knows that it is being watched and wants to put on a show for the human onlookers. What’s more, the baby hippo really seems to be enjoying itself!

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Where Do Hippopotamuses Normally Live?

The little hippo in this clip is obviously in a zoo or wildlife park. Hippos are actually a native species of sub-Saharan Africa. They can be found in loads of African countries including Angola, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, and Zambia. You will usually spot them in estuaries and around the lower sections of rivers. However, more recently, they have been found in reservoirs. During the rainy season, they tend to wander around a lot. Hippos need to live near water that is deep enough for them to completely submerge their bodies. Also, they need some grassland nearby to provide their food. Water is essential for a hippo’s health. During the dry season, they resort to wallowing in muddy pools. If their skin dries out, it cracks and can become inflamed.

Are Hippos Normally Good Swimmers?

Yes! As you would expect from an animal who spends its time in and around rivers, hippos are very comfortable in the water. However, hippos don’t really swim! They are so heavy, and their bones are so dense, that they sink to the bottom. Then, they have a special sort of underwater walk that looks a bit like a gallop or a trot. They push themselves forward using their feet which press against the bottom of the river. Adult hippos can stay underwater for five minutes. Even a two-month-old calf can stay under the water for about 30 seconds.

This little calf is bobbing up and down. It bounces off the bottom of the pool to generate enough momentum to get to the surface to take a breath. Then, it sinks back down under the water.

As a bonus, fish found in African rivers clean hippos. Fish species such as carp use their mouths to clean hippos’ skin – removing parasites and bacteria. At the same time, hippos have no patience with larger animals who are trying to share their pools. They have been seen pushing crocodiles out of their way!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Lena Ivanova/Shutterstock.com