Hippo-stounding, truly!
Massive, impressive, sometimes even a little intimidating… the hippopotamus leaves no one indifferent. Yet behind its stocky silhouette and enormously wide mouth lies an animal astonishingly well adapted to its environment.
On the occasion of World Hippopotamus Day, February 15, let’s take a moment to rediscover this incredible semi-aquatic giant, both fascinating and often misunderstood.
On land... but mostly under water!
With its short legs, barrel-shaped body, and weight that can exceed two tonnes, the hippopotamus may seem built for life on land. And yet, it spends most of its time in the water. Able to hold its breath for up to five minutes, it moves with ease along the bottoms of rivers and lakes, literally walking on the substrate. Its thick skin, almost hairless, secretes a pinkish oily substance that acts both as a natural sunscreen and as antibacterial protection, an essential adaptation for an animal that spends much of its day with its back exposed to the African sun.
Watch them hippos!
And above all, beware! Despite its placid appearance, the hippopotamus is one of the most territorial and dangerous animals in Africa.
Its gigantic mouth, which can open to nearly 150 degrees, is not just spectacular: it is a powerful deterrent.
Its long canines are used in fights between males and to keep predators at bay.
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A strict herbivore, it can consume up to 40 kg of vegetation per night, emerging at dusk to graze, often far from the riverbanks.
A discreet lifestyle, but one that is crucial to the balance of aquatic ecosystems: by moving between land and water, the hippopotamus helps transfer nutrients and quite literally shapes its habitat.
A species under pressure
Unfortunately, this iconic African animal faces major challenges in the wild. Habitat loss and fragmentation (caused by agricultural expansion, human development, and the alteration of waterways) greatly reduce the areas where it can feed and reproduce. Added to this is poaching, particularly for the ivory of its canines, which directly threatens certain populations. Today, the hippopotamus is classified as Vulnerable, and its numbers continue to decline in several regions. Protecting hippopotamuses also means preserving the aquatic environments on which many other species depend, including local human communities.
The Zoo's hippos
At Zoo de Granby, three hippopotamuses give us the opportunity to observe these fascinating giants up close and to learn more about their behaviour, their needs, and their ecological role: Kiboko, Polita, and their young, Coumba.
Thanks to the daily work of the animal care teams, these ambassadors of their species receive care tailored to their complex physical and behavioural needs. It’s a true spectacle to watch them bustle about in the river, crunch a pumpkin in a single bite, or quite literally sleep underwater! Come see them on the Africa Trail.
Interesting informations
Polita
Date of Birth : June 15, 1997
Weight : 1 680 kg
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Polita was born at the Sonora Ecological Centre in Mexico, but lived at Disney's Animal Kingdom before arriving at the Zoo de Granby in 2000. Our beautiful female giant is therefore a true princess!
Although her name means "pleasant" in the Basque language, Polita is very protective of her cubs and has quickly established her dominance of her couple! Kiboko better watch out!
Kiboko
Date of Birth : August 27, 1992
Weight : 1 484 kg
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Kiboko was born at the Calgary Zoo and made Granby his permanent home a year later. His name couldn’t be more fitting, as “Kiboko” means “hippopotamus” in Swahili, a language spoken in many African countries.
This hefty male is the inseparable companion of the lovely Polita, a female who arrived at the Granby Zoo in 2000. More reserved than his sweetheart, he gladly lets her take the lead, especially when food is involved! Like all hippos, Kiboko loves chomping into a pumpkin or a watermelon, which he devours in a single bite!
Coumba
Date of Birth : February 27, 2017
Weight : 1 012 kg
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Coumba is the 17th hippopotamus to be born at the Zoo de Granby! An important achievement for the conservation and protection of this threatened species.
A funny little anecdote! When Coumba was still living with his parents, he was never far from his mother. That didn’t stop him, however, from going over to bother our male—only to run back and hide behind his mother’s skirts the moment things got tense.
