Dec 19, 2008: Bertha & Baby Butt

[xoxoxoBruce]

Neatorama had a link to this Daily Mail story.

It is the ultimate in swimming lessons as Paula the baby hippo struggles to keep up with her mother Kathi.
Born at Berlin Zoo just 18 days ago, the little cub weighs 6st 4lbs and is approximately 50 inches long. Fully grown she will weigh as much as two tonnes - like her mother.

Hippos swim from the moment they are born underwater and must immediately propel themselves to the surface to take their first breath.
Contrary to belief, adult hippos cannot actually swim - but travel through the water by pushing themselves off the bottom.

Paula, on the other hand, is rather more buoyant and able to move along by kicking her back legs in a running motion. If the water becomes too deep, then she will rest on her mother's back - surfacing for air roughly every four minutes.