Hippopotamus Zone

In my opinion, this place is the least visited one inside Nandankanan Zoological Park due to its abnormal location. You have to go forward from the reptile park to reach here & when returning, you have to come back in the same road to get onto the main road to reach other enclosures. This takes almost half an hour of time. But to be honest, if you are not in a hurry, this is a must visit place!!!

Common #hippos are recognisable by their barrel-shaped torsos, wide-opening mouths revealing large #canine tusks, nearly hairless bodies, columnar legs and large size; adults average 1,500 kg (3,310 lb) and 1,300 kg (2,870 lb) for males and females respectively. Despite its stocky shape and short legs, it is capable of running 30 km/h (19 mph) over short distances.nnThe common hippo inhabits rivers, lakes and #mangrove swamps, where territorial bulls preside over a stretch of river and groups of five to thirty females and young. During the day, they remain cool by staying in the water or mud; reproduction and childbirth both occur in water. They emerge at dusk to graze on grasses. While hippos rest near each other in the water, grazing is a solitary activity and hippos are not on land. The hippo is among the most dangerous animals in the world as it is highly aggressive and unpredictable. They are threatened by habitat loss and poaching for their meat and  canine teeth.

Hippopotamus Zone:nnThis is a part of world famous Nandankanan Zoo.nnDO YOU KNOW???nnThis Zoo houses the largest population of Hippos... (In India)nnHippo Zone (2 Ponds) is next to the Boating Jetty / waiting Stand. The Important point is that, we can see the largest number of Hippos in Indian Zoos – Presently 16, after the death of one in 2012 & one in 2017.nnAlso known as water horse, these amphibious African mammal, is the second largest land animal (after the elephant). The hippo is comparable in size and weight to the rhinoceros. Males are usually 3.5 metres long, stand 1.5 metres tall and weigh around 3,200 kg. The females are 30 percent less in size & weight, than males. The skin is 5 cm thick on the flanks but thinner elsewhere and nearly hairless. Colour is grayish brown, with pinkish under-parts. They eat grass (Aprox) 35 Kg per animal per day.nnNote:nIn Nandankanan, they are normally seen, almost dipped in water – however, here, between 11.30 to 12.00 (Noon), being their feeding time, these Hippos come out of water in group. The majority of grownups are in the pond near to the Boat Jetty and the second pond has a proud mother & a New born!nn*** Kindly don’t forget to click “THUMBS UP”.. Please .. we will bring more reviews & Photos for you!***nPS: exhaustive photo-shoot photos are given under Nandankanan Zoo – Please have a look!

Hippopotamus Zone:nnThis is a part of the world famous Nandankanan Zoo, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.nnDO YOU KNOW??? This Zoo houses the largest population of Hippos... (In India)nnHippo Zone (2 Ponds) is next to the Boating Jetty / waiting Stand. The Important point is that, we can see the largest number of Hippos in Indian Zoos – Presently 16, after the death of one in 2012 & one in 2017.nnAlso known as water horse, these amphibious African mammal, is the second largest land animal (after the elephant). The hippo is comparable in size and weight to the rhinoceros. Males are usually 3.5 metres long, stand 1.5 metres tall and weigh around 3,200 kg. The females are 30 percent less in size & weight, than males. The skin is 5 cm thick on the flanks but thinner elsewhere and nearly hairless. Colour is grayish brown, with pinkish under-parts. They eat grass (Aprox) 35 Kg per animal per day.nnNote: In Nandankanan, they are normally seen, almost dipped in water – however, here, between 11.30 to 12.00 (Noon), being their feeding time, these Hippos come out of water in group. The majority of grownups are in the pond near to the Boat Jetty and the second pond has a proud mother & a New born!nn*** Kindly don’t forget to click “THUMBS UP”.. Please .. we will bring more reviews & Photos for you!***nnPS: exhaustive photo-shoot photos are given under Nandankanan Zoo – Please have a look!