Hippos Mating, St Lucia South Africa iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Hippo's are seldom seen out of the water and therefore most activities occur in the water, Female Hippo's will give birth in water as well and the new Born will surface quickly for their first breath. It is common to see the young on their mothers backs due to varying depths of water. A new born can weigh between 27 and 50 kg. Female's will usually only have 1 offspring every two years. | Heritage Tours & Safaris

Hippo - mating in water, wide shot

*_Hippopotamus amphibius_* - *Birth:* Hippos give birth to a single calf (twins are rare ) after a gestation period of about 8 months. Calves are born underwater and can weigh around 25-45 kg. Mama hippo helps them to the surface for air . Calves are pretty clued in - they can swim and start eating solids around 3 weeks old . - *Food:* Hippos are herbivores and nom on grasses, aquatic plants, and other greenery. They can eat up to 35 kg of food per night . Hippos are pretty efficient grazers, of