Happy Happy Hippos

Barrel-shaped and big-mouthed, these massive mammals can grow up to be the most feared beasts in the wild. But AFP photographer Odd Andersen finds one newcomer that is cute as a button.

The unnamed baby hippo is introduced to audiences for the first time with mom Nicole. [Photo/China Daily]

The Berlin Zoo recently welcomed a new addition to its hippo population. The baby was presented along with its mother to the general public earlier this month. Zookeepers say that the calf, despite not having a name yet, is very popular with visitors and has the potential of becoming a local celebrity. New hippo calves usually weigh in between 27 and 45 kilograms at birth. They learn to swim even before they learn to walk, so as to stay near their mothers in the water. Native to Africa, the hippo is among the largest mammals in the world. Mature animals can weigh more than three tons, and only the elephant, whale and rhinoceros are bigger. It is a naturally aggressive creature, especially when it comes to protecting its young. Currently, the hippo is threatened in the wild, because hunters prize both its meat and its ivory canines.