Swimming Hippopotamus Photo Auckland Zoo New Zealand
Photo & Vacation Spot

Peacefully swimming in its habitat at the Auckland on the North Island of New Zealand, a hippopotamus captivates visitors walking by.

Swimming is a favorite past time for a hippopotamus where it can keep itself out of the sun to avoid being sunburnt making water an essential requirement for the survival of the hippopotamus. The mammal prefers habitats where there are short grasslands bordering a lake, river or pond of water like this one in their place of residence at the Auckland Zoo on the North Island of New Zealand.

Wallowing or swimming in water is a day time activity for a hippopotamus and night time is when they emerge to the grassy areas to graze. The small round ears, bright eyes and nostrils are usually the only parts of the hippopotamus which stay above water. When going underwater, the ears fold over and their nostrils close where they can remain for up to 15 minutes with the average time being about 5 minutes.

While visiting the Auckland Zoo on the North Island of New Zealand, scan the surface of the water for the large backside and head swimming about the habitat.

Hippopotamus, Hippopotamus amphibius, at the Auckland Zoo, Auckland, North Island, New Zealand.