Meet a daring dentist with a toothsome task: Giving this giant hippopotamus his dental checkup. Of course, like any smart dentist, he gives a treat at the end of the session to make it all worthwhile.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpDbPngukU8&rel=0
And all I ever got was a lollipop, Cheryl S.
Seems to quite enjoy his teeth being cleaned. I so love this, it’s a WOW!
I wonder if Fiona will have her toofies cleaned and massaged like this big bruiser!! Or maybe Henry and Bibi have theirs done like this but we just haven’t seen it done. I know they’ve examined Fiona’s mouf by hand so maybe she’s getting accustomed to having cleanings done as an adult also.
Yes, I believe that’s one of the reasons they started massaging her mouth. I think I read in one of the posts that they also do mouth massages on Bibi and Henry, but I may be misremembering.
That is so wonderful and amazing. Interacting with creatures like this us just so incredible. Great post. Made my day. ?
Zookeepers train their charges to stand in certain locations, to assume certain postures and to tolerate basic care or touches all disguised as play and rewarded with treats.
I observed Fiona’s keepers touching her muzzle and her teeth as they interacted with her to condition her for dental care in the future.
Well I brush my teeth AFTER having eaten not before. Am I doing it the wrong way? 🙂
Poor guy .. all the melon breath while he works .. hehe
Do Altoids come in hippo size?
It takes courage and trust to do this when you realize how strong their mouth is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQVElHsL2c4
Seems inefficient, somehow. Excellent crunching, but rather a lot lost in the process.
MOM .. he split out the seeds at me again!!
If it were really a treat, he’d have peeled those bananas!
Considering how truly dangerous hippos are, that is really impressive.
Also: blissing out on the fruit.
I love this – hippo is so relaxed and cooperative, you can tell it’s a partnership that they’ve worked on.
He puts the fruit in like he is packing luggage- and the hairy earlobes!
LOL yes, at first I thought it was part of the cleaning – a sponge or a gauze pad – then I realized it was the treat! 😀
I used to get to pick a ring out of a treasure chest. Jewels to go with my pearly whites!!