Female hippos have a gestation period of eight months and have only one baby at a time, according to the San Diego Zoo. At birth, the calf weighs between 50 and 110 lbs. (23 to 50 kg). For its first eight months, the calf nurses while its mother is on land, or it swims underwater to suckle. When it dives, the calf closes its nose and ears to block out water. All hippos have this ability. Hippos also have membranes that cover and protect their eyes while they are underwater.
This is a picture of hippo milk...it is pink!
Was surprised to learn that at 5 to 7 years old, the hippo calf is fully mature, according to the San Diego Zoo and the median life expectancy of a hippo is 36 years.
4 comments:
Zoos are wonderful. How nice to see the Hippoa.
Interesting. Cow's milk is pink after giving birth, too. It takes about a week to two weeks to turn white.
you had me at pink milk!!! but they only live 36 years, boo to that!!
Very interesting! And I never knew they had pink milk!
Post a Comment