How to Feed Hippos

The hippopotamus is one of the world's largest land-dwelling mammals. The river hippopotamus weighs 4,000 to 6,000 lbs., and the pygmy variety comes in at 350 to 550 lbs. Hippos are herbivores that subsist on grasses and aquatic plants in the wild. Feeding them in captivity calls for a blend of plant foods including dried grasses, fruits and vegetables. You'll have to stock up: Hippos eat 1.5 percent of their body weight in food daily. That's up to 90 lbs. of food for a river hippo, and 8 lbs. a day for a pygmy hippo.

Things You'll Need

  • Alfalfa
  • Bermuda hay
  • Herbivore pellets
  • Lettuce
  • Melons
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose several spots for setting out your hippo's food. Hippos prefer to feed in the same place each day. They're also foragers who spend hours roaming to their food sources. To replicate the eating environment of their native Africa, place alfalfa and Bermuda hay near their water hole. Farther away, add herbivore pellets for nutritional supplementation, and lettuce and melons as special treats.

    • 2

      Place your hippo's food outside in your designated feeding locations just before sunset. Hippos spend the day lounging in water or mud holes, and come out at dusk to feed for five to six hours.

    • 3

      Add sources of drinking water near the food you place farther away from your hippo's pond or mud hole. Hippos can quickly become dehydrated after a few hours on land.