Hippos

Head to Adventure Aquarium’s West African River Experience to meet and witness Button and Genny, two massive Nile Hippos (3000 lbs each). Adventure Aquarium is the only Aquarium in the world with hippos on exhibit, and guests are provided a very unique view of these magnificent creatures, via our underwater viewing window where they frolic (really!), jump out of the water and press their snouts against the glass, going eye-to-eye with even our smallest visitors. 

Hippos are herbivores and semi-aquatic, inhabiting rivers, lakes and mangrove swamps.  They emerge at dusk to graze on grass.

Despite their physical resemblance to pigs and other terrestrial even-toed ungulates, their closest living relatives are cetaceans (whales, porpoises, etc.). Hippos are the third largest land mammals by weight (between 1½ and 3 tons), behind the white rhinoceros and the three species of elephant. Despite its stocky shape and short legs, it can easily outrun a human; having been clocked at 19 mph over short distances. The hippopotamus is one of the most aggressive creatures in the world and is often regarded as one of the most dangerous animals in Africa.

When you come to visit Button and Genny, you will easily be able to tell these girls apart because Button is smaller than Genny!