Water Birth Did you know most baby hippos are born underwater First a baby hippo grows in its mother's belly for eight months Then it is time for the baby to be born The mother hippo leaves the herd She gets ready to have her calf Mother hippos find a safe place to give birth
Soon the mother hippo's baby is born It swims to the water's surface to breathe The calf quickly swims up for its first breath of air
A baby hippo looks tiny next to its giant mother Can you guess the size of a baby hippo It weighs around 100 pounds 45 kilograms That is about as heavy as twelve human babies Adult hippos can weigh up to 8,000 pounds 3,630 kg That is heavier than two cars
This baby hippo joins its mom for a swim Newborn hippos can swim very well Their webbed toes help them paddle
