Little Hippo, Big Hippo

We’re so fascinated with Fiona that it’s easy to forget that there are other cute hippos in the world, but reader Susan H. found this study in contrasts recently:

I went to the San Diego Zoo and was privileged to be there on one of days they had their brand new baby hippo on exhibit! I present to you, baby Amahle (she was just named on Friday- it means “beautiful one” in Zulu) and her mama, Funani!

baby and mother hippo
(Front view)

She was just 19 days old when I took these, and my first thought when I saw her was “I HAVE to get photos for Cutetropolis!!”

baby and mother hippo
(WIIIIIIDE view)
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15 thoughts on “Little Hippo, Big Hippo

  1. allein 🦛 March 12, 2020 / 12:25 pm

    Amazing how something can start out so tiny and get sooooo big.

    • SoccerSue March 12, 2020 / 6:44 pm

      I kept thinking about Fiona and how she was probably 4 months old before she was the size of this 19 day old hippo! I realize Fiona was (relatively) tiny when she was born, but seeing Amahle kinda brought it home.

  2. AJ March 12, 2020 / 12:50 pm

    MIghty oaks from tiny acorns grow. And waving hi to Susan from my corner of San Diego. Do you live in the area too or were you just visiting? If living here, maybe we should have a mini Cutetropolis meet up.

    Both hippos are just adorable especially the littlest one. I think all of her is about as big as mama’s head.

    • SoccerSue March 12, 2020 / 6:40 pm

      Just visiting- I live in the Pacific NW. 🙂

  3. Lucy'sMom March 12, 2020 / 1:29 pm

    Susan H. definitely had her priorities straight in taking these photos for Cutetropolis. 😅 These babies look huge… until you see them next to their mamas. ❤

    • SoccerSue March 12, 2020 / 6:43 pm

      I had to be patient, too- there were tons of people crowded around the enclosure. Mama and baby were in the water for a while and it was too murky to see them well. I waited until they got out and walked around, and found a space by the plexiglass that no one had claimed yet. Totally worth the wait!

  4. Lois M. aka Flowerfanatic March 12, 2020 / 1:36 pm

    AWWW!! Nothing cuter than a baby hippo and we’ve been blessed with at least 3 of them to follow. Let’s hope we can get more pics of Amahle as she grows. Will have to see if the zoo has a website we can access or if they post to YouTube.

  5. JenDeyan March 12, 2020 / 2:06 pm

    Thanks for thinking about us, Susan. More hippo pics are always a treasure. Especially bebeh hippos.

  6. Ricky & Bibi's Mom March 12, 2020 / 3:13 pm

    How lovely! Thank you, Susan!

  7. Alice Shortcake March 12, 2020 / 3:34 pm

    I’m having a flashback to the video of a zoo employee finding the newborn Fiona. She looked like a bath toy!

  8. Dulcie March 12, 2020 / 5:31 pm

    At least Cutropolis hasn’t been canceled! Stay healthy Mike! So far covid 19 is not considered to be a computer virus!

  9. Debg March 12, 2020 / 7:42 pm

    Gorgeous family! Thanks so much, Sue.

  10. Tara March 12, 2020 / 8:13 pm

    Susan H. Thank you so much for thinking of us!!! This is what me feels like we all belong!

    Gorgeous photos too! Thank you.. xoxo

  11. Duckie 🐥 March 12, 2020 / 9:51 pm

    Anyone else see the “qte” comment underneath the website title?

    • allein 🐾 March 12, 2020 / 9:55 pm

      I missed it! Glad you pointed it out. I wouldn’t mind quarantining in Cutetropolis.

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