The hippopotamus, or Hippopotamus amphibius, is a massive, iconic African mammal recognized for its barrel-shaped body, enormous size, and powerful jaws. These semi-aquatic creatures spend most of their days submerged in water to keep their skin cool and protected from the sun. The hippo, which can be the second-largest land animal, leads many to wonder about the specifics of its diet. A particular curiosity, often fueled by viral videos, is whether this formidable animal consumes watermelon.
Hippo Feeding Behavior and Watermelon
The short answer is that, under specific circumstances, hippos do eat watermelon and often seem to enjoy it. This consumption occurs almost exclusively in controlled environments, such as zoos or wildlife parks, where the fruit is provided as a treat or enrichment. The watermelon’s high water content and sweet taste make it a palatable supplement to their usual, tougher diet. They can easily crush the entire fruit, rind and all, with their immense jaw strength.
Videos showcasing a hippo devouring a watermelon in a single, explosive bite are popular online, but they depict an unnatural feeding behavior. The fruit is quickly consumed due to its soft texture and powerful bite, but it is not a food source they would encounter in the wild. Zoo veterinarians typically offer this fruit as a supervised treat, often to assess dental health or to provide hydration. However, the high sugar content means it must be given in strict moderation, as it does not align with the hippo’s natural, low-sugar diet.
The Primary Diet of a Hippopotamus
In their native sub-Saharan African habitat, the hippopotamus is a dedicated herbivore whose diet consists almost entirely of grasses. They are nocturnal grazers, emerging from the water at dusk to trek onto land in search of food. This foraging behavior is solitary, and they will follow established paths for several miles to reach preferred grazing areas.
The bulk of their food intake is short, tender grasses, which they clip using the hard, horny edges of their wide lips rather than their teeth. A large adult hippo will consume an average of 80 to 110 pounds of grass each night during a grazing period that can last up to six hours. Despite their massive body size, hippos consume a surprisingly small amount of food relative to their weight, eating only about 1.0 to 1.5% of their body mass per day. This low consumption rate is possible because their semi-aquatic, sedentary lifestyle conserves energy.
Hippo Digestive System Overview
The hippo’s body is expertly adapted to process the large quantities of fibrous grass that make up its diet. They possess a specialized digestive tract that functions as a foregut fermenter, though they are not true ruminants like cows. The stomach is large and multi-chambered, often described as having three compartments, which allows for prolonged retention of food.
This unique system relies on symbiotic bacteria within the foregut to break down tough cellulose, the primary component of grass, through microbial fermentation. This lengthy process is essential for extracting the maximum amount of nutrients from the low-quality vegetation. Their powerful molars are specifically designed for the grinding and crushing of abrasive grasses, not the slicing of soft fruits, supporting their commitment to a grazing diet.