And here’s Fiona, looking sassy for spring in this custom-tailored cardboard ensemble by Mr. Foxy of Beverly Hills. Team Fiona has been introducing the blorpy baby to a variety of enrichment experiences, and cardboard appears to be her current favorite. As always, you can follow Fiona’s progress on her page at the Cincinnati Zoo website.
Does Maru know about this?!
I see she’s been watching too many Maru videos! “Still wearing petite sizes” – oh, Mike, you are a one.?
I bet he Skyped her personally with instructions!
Can you imagine that conversation?
I see some boxhab in Fiona’s future…
I was wondering why Fiona (the only hippo I’ve devoted significant time and attention towards) always looks so shiny. Is she always wet? Or do they lube her up with sunblock? So I went a’researchin’ and found this tidbit: “[A hippo’s] skin oozes out a fluid that looks like beads of sweat and gives the hippo a shiny, or wet, appearance all the time. This fluid, called blood sweat, helps to protect the animal’s sensitive skin from sunburn.” Huh – did not know that.
As a freckled fair skinned redhead i am intrigued! Sounds icky, but what i would do not to have to wear horrid sun cream all the time!
I remember going to a small circus when I was little and there was a truck with a poster on it advertising the hippo that sweat blood – don’t know if all hippo sweat is red but at least some exude a red “sweat”.
It seems they do all have red sweat.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-hippopotamuses-actuall/
The more you know…?
Faux fox coats aren’t very realistic these days…
Fiona is so silly! And speaking of Fiona, I saw the other day that a Cincinnati microbrewery is producing a special Fiona beer with funds going towards her care. I’m not entirely sure that makes sense for an underage hippo, but their heart’s in the right place….
Oh Fiona, you sexy thing you! What a cutie pie!
Birdcage and Gigi – thanks for the myth-bustering. So interesting. I was also wondering why she was always so shiny. I just thought she always needed to be wet. Another little tid-bit to tuck into my Trivial Pursuit Fil-o-facts. Thanks!
Fiona’s been watching to many Maru videos ..
Cardboard boxes. They’re not just for cats anymore!