AnimalID

Name

5035

Hippopotamus

LocationName:

Africa

Origin:

Original ZT

PurchaseCost:

$1,200

RequiresResearch:

No

IsClimber:

No

IsJumper:

No

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

 

Description:

"Hippopotamus" is the Greek word for "river-horse," a name that aptly describes these large, semi-aquatic mammals. On land, this animal is second only to the elephant in size, and the size of its mouth is second only to that of the whale. Unique among land animals, the hippo can open its jaw a full 180 degrees, thereby creating its distinctive yawn.

Hippos can be found in the lakes, rivers, and swamps of sub-Saharan Africa. They are voracious grazers and need large, open areas of mixed grasses to supply their dietary needs. In their natural setting, these animals will typically range two to three miles during their solitary nightly foraging, and so are more comfortable when placed in larger zoo exhibits. In captivity, a hippo diet might include hay and an assortment of lettuce, carrots, cabbage, watermelon, apples, and cantaloupe.

Hippos have skin that becomes easily dehydrated, so during the daylight hours, when the sun is hot, hippos are generally seen in the water sleeping and socializing with the other members of their herd. They are excellent swimmers and can remain under water for up to five minutes. When partially submerged, only their eyes, ears, and nostrils are visible.

When hippos become uneasy about something in their environment, they will stamp their feet, shake their heads, and make honking noises. An angry hippo has a deep, reverberating roar that can be heard a great distance. Although generally slow movers, a hippo can gallop at a speed of up to 18 miles per hour in an emergency.

Hippos are herd animals and, in captivity, are comfortable in groups of between two and ten individuals. Adult hippos are generally safe from most carnivores because of their size; however, immature hippopotami can be vulnerable to aggressive predators such as lions, hyenas, and crocodiles. Mother hippopotami are fiercely protective of their young and have been known to snap an adult crocodile in two with their huge jaws.

Hippos tend to reproduce infrequently in captivity.

Attractiveness Adult:

Attractiveness Young:

Initial Happiness:

Habitat Preference:

50

150

50

70

Captivity:

Crowd:

CrowdHappiness Change:

ClimbsCliffs:

5

30

-5

No

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

 

To build a good animal exhibit you need to ask a few questions: (click them for the answers)

Which fence is suitable for this animal in terms of strength, if it can be climbed or jumped over?

How big should the exhibit be and what Terrain should be used?

What foliage should be used?

What rocks should be used?

What shelter does the animal need?

What toy does the animal like?

How deep should the exhibit be if using the "Pit Method"?

1 level

 

FenceName

Purchase Cost

Height

Strength

Life

Cost Effective

Low Chain-link Fence

$45

1

200

10

22.2

Low Stick Pole Fence

$55

1

225

11

20.0

Stick Pole Fence

$75

2

225

12

16.0

Stick Pole Window Fence

$75

2

225

12

16.0

Low Post and Rail Fence

$70

1

250

11

15.7

Chain-link Fence

$70

2

200

10

14.3

Post and Rail Fence

$90

2

250

12

13.3

Low Wooden Slat Fence

$85

1

240

11

12.9

Wood Slat Window Fence

$110

2

240

12

10.9

Wooden Slat Fence

$110

2

240

12

10.9

Low Concrete Fence

$125

1

300

12

9.6

Low Iron Bar Fence

$125

1

290

12

9.6

Low Rock Wall Fence

$125

1

280

12

9.6

Low Concrete Chain Fence

$125

1

275

12

9.6

Low Plexiglas Fence

$125

1

270

12

9.6

Rock Wall Fence

$150

2

280

14

9.3

Rock Window Fence

$150

2

280

14

9.3

Concrete Chain Fence

$150

2

275

14

9.3

Plexiglas Fence

$150

2

270

13

8.7

Iron Bar Fence

$180

2

290

14

7.8

Concrete Fence

$200

2

300

15

7.5

Reinforced Concrete Fence

$225

3

460

16

7.1

Reinforced Concrete and Glass Fence

$225

3

420

15

6.7

Concrete and Iron Bar Fence

$240

3

440

15

6.3

Electrified Chain-link Fence

$300

3

480

18

6.0

Electrified Iron Bar Fence

$350

3

400

18

5.1

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

 

Animal Density

Min

Number of Animals/Exhibit

Max

35

2

 

10

Terrain Name

Value

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Fresh water

70

25

49

74

98

123

147

172

196

221

245

Tank can be used in place of water requirement

Dirt

15

5

11

16

21

26

32

37

42

47

53

Savannah grass

15

5

11

16

21

26

32

37

42

47

53

Rocks

1

1

3

4

6

7

8

10

11

13

14

Foliage

3

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

11

Elevation

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Exhibit Size

100

35

70

105

140

175

210

245

280

315

350

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

 

ID

Value

TreeName

Foliage Effect

Cost/ Square

Cost Effective

7000

5

Acacia Caffra Tree

32

$500

6.4

7048

3

Thorn Bush

24

$80

30.0

7058

3

Umbrella Thorn Tree

24

$840

2.9

7062

10

Water Reed

20

$240

8.3

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

 

ID

Value

RockName

Size X

Size Y

Rock

Rock Effect

Purchase Cost

Cost Effective

9206

2

Small Rock

1

1

Yes

8

$55

14.5

9205

2

Medium Rock 

1

1

Yes

8

$75

10.7

9200

4

Large Rock

2

2

Yes

4

$150

2.7

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

 

Shelter ID

Shelter Name

Shelter Value

Shelter Effect

Purchase Cost

Capacity

Requires Research

 

none

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

 

ToyID

ToyName

ToyValue

PurchaseCost

 

 none

 

 

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

 

ReproductionChance:

High

SickChance:

5

ReproductionInterval(months):

9

SickChange:

-12

HappyReproduceThreshold:

95

DeathChance:

10

Offspring:

1

TimeDeath(months):

24

BabyToAdult(months):

4

 


SalinityChange:

-10

SalinityHealthChange:

-20

PooWaterImpact:

5

MurkyWaterThreshold:

60

MurkyWaterChange:

-5

MurkyWaterHealthChange:

-5

VeryMurkyWaterThreshold:

20

ExtremelyMurkyWaterThreshold

1

VeryMurkyWaterChange:

-10

ExtremelyMurkyWaterChange

-15

VeryMurkyWaterHealthChange:

-10

ExtremelyMurkyWaterHealthChange:

-15

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?

 

Compatible Animals

Prey Animals

Common Wildebeest

8

KeeperFoodType:

Grass and branches

African Buffalo

8

Lion

Giraffe

8

Bengal Tiger

Thomsons Gazelle

8

Siberian Tiger

 

Cheetah

Leopard

Black Leopard

Snow Leopard

Clouded Leopard

Jaguar

Spotted Hyena

Emporer Penguin

California Sea Lion

Saltwater Crocodile

White Bengal Tiger

Lion's Mane Jelly
Elephant Seal
Green Moray Eel
Southern Sea Otter
Pacific Octopus
West Indian Manatee
Pacific Walrus
Green Sea Turtle
Swordfish
Bluefin Tuna
Great Barracuda

 

General Information

Building an Exhibit

The Life Cycle

Who do they like to live with and eat?