What do hippos eat in the wild and zoo

Answering the question of what hippos eat, many believe that they absorb everything. Painfully well-fed these mammals! However, oddly enough, hippos are still gourmets. They won’t eat everything. So what does their diet consist of?

What do hippos eat in the wild? nature

So, what are you ready to serve wildnature one of the largest mammals on the planet, and how do they eat?

• Speaking about what hippos eat, you need, first of all, to understand how much food they need. A very common misconception is that hippos eat a lot. In fact, they do not need much food, since their barrel-shaped bodies perfectly keep their owners afloat, and their intestines, as long as 60 m, allow them to digest food perfectly. Yes, and it cannot be said that hippos are very actively moving. Yes, they are able to walk about 10 km in search of tasty grass, but still bask in the water most of the time. In addition, according to experts, the hippo absorbs food better than many other animals! Therefore, it usually eats only about 1,5% of its body weight per day, and not 5%, like many other mammals. That is, this animal usually eats from 40 to 70 g of food per day.
• Hippos spend the day in the water in order to protect themselves from the heat. Let’s not forget that they live in the wild in Africa, famous for its rather hot days. But at night, why not get out on the promenade in search of delicious food? About 5-6 hours are allotted at night for this activity.
• Speaking about the diet, we must certainly remember the grass. It is predominantly ground grass or one that grows right next to the water. But the hippopotamus will not eat algae. Or it will, but in rare cases – hippos are incredibly selective. Although it seems to many, by the way, that since this animal spends almost all the time in the water, it will eat them with pleasure. But in reality, thanks to its well-developed lips, it is very convenient for a hippopotamus to pinch ordinary land grass, then carefully crushing it with well-developed teeth.
• Hippopotamuses will not refuse fruits that can be found while walking along the shore. By the way, thanks to their well-developed hearing, these animals perfectly capture the moments when the fruit falls from the tree. The scent is also very helpful in finding fruits. In particular, the hippo will not refuse the fruits of the sausage tree – kigelia. They contain B vitamins, macro- and microelements, tannins, etc. By the way, it has been noticed that hippos give them the greatest preference when choosing various fruits.
• But what if the time is hard and there is little vegetation? After all, we are talking about Africa! It turns out that hippos have an interesting ability to retain food in the stomach for a while. And it can take up to three weeks!
• Also, if there are problems with food, the hippopotamus is able to eat meat. Not everyone knows about this, but a similar fact is scientifically confirmed. So, for the first time the world learned about this in 1995, when a doctor from the University of Alaska, Joseph Dudley, visited Hwange – the name of the national park located in Zimbabwe. It is believed that hippos can start eating meat due to a catastrophic lack of grass or fruits, during a serious nutritional deficiency. So, cases of both hippos hunting for impalas and gazelles, and eating carrion have been recorded. Moreover, if you wish, you can even find similar shots in documentaries.

What is the diet of hippos in zoo

А What are the hippos fed in zoos?

• Grass – of course, without her nowhere. Considering that, what is grass in the wild the lion’s share of the diet of hippos, you need to feed it in captivity. And also include in the diet in an impressive quantity. Hay, by the way, is also suitable, not just fresh grass. Finally, let’s not forget that Africa and drought – synonyms. But fresh grass, of course, preferred. But not algae desirable, because, as we remember, hippos don’t particularly favor them. But a different mix of salads – what necessary!
• Yeast – an indispensable daily component. It is believed, what a hippo must learn in one day at least about 200 g of yeast. They are a great addition. source of vitamin B. As already mentioned previously, this vitamin in the wild found, for example, in the fruits of sausage tree, which in our latitudes, like in many other places where there is zoos, you definitely won’t find them. But others There are many sources of this vitamin! AT particularly in yeast. Vitamins of this groups have a great effect on the state intestines and skin, strengthen muscles, strengthen immunity, etc.
• Kashi – such a source of energy is not bad for animals kept in captivity. Especially for those who are in special position – say, expecting offspring. Yes, for pregnant hippos recommended boil porridge in milk, adding sugar there.
• Fruit and vegetables – of course, without them nowhere! Tem more, given that high-calorie food for captive animals not worth giving. After all, in the zoo hippo obviously will not pass 10 km per night. What fruits and vegetables give? It all depends on individual animal preferences – so many of them adore melons, for example.

Hippos – animals, the number of which is rapidly declining. That’s why it is incredibly important to feed them properly in zoos, and ensure that nature had enough food for them.