Quick Take
- Bread Roll's name isn't just cute. It's a surprisingly literal description of what this baby hippo actually looks like. See her name explained →
- Pygmy hippos break almost every rule you think you know about hippos, and those differences make their babies even more unusual. Explore pygmy hippo differences →
- Bread Roll is adorable, but her birth carries a weight that goes far beyond a viral moment. Meet the conservation ambassador →
There’s a new baby hippo going viral online for just how adorable it is. Born at Zoo Berlin, Brötchen, or “bread roll” in German, got its adorable name from its round, bread-like shape. Not only is she adorable, but she is also important to the conservation of the pygmy hippo species. This Instagram post by @washingtonpost features videos of Bread Roll. Read here to learn more about Bread Roll.
Pygmy hippos are an endangered species, making Bread Roll somewhat of an ambassador for conservation efforts.
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About Bread Roll the Pygmy Hippo
Bread Roll was born on May 9 at Zoo Berlin and is one of the cutest animals online right now. She got her fitting nickname from her resemblance to round dinner rolls, making her even cuter. The Instagram reel above shows Bread Roll walking around her enclosure and feeding on various leaves, all while looking absolutely adorable. While her virality is partly thanks to her cuteness, she is also somewhat of an ambassador for conservation efforts. Pygmy hippos are classified by major conservationists like the IUCN as endangered, with only about 2,500 adults remaining in the wild. The species population has been declining over the years due to habitat destruction. Pygmy hippos are native to West Africa, living in dense forests and swamps. Countries like Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea have been clearing forests for agriculture, mining, or logging, which has negatively impacted animal populations.
Thankfully, many biologists are putting in the effort to counteract the population decline. One such way is by breeding and raising the hippos in zoos. The controlled environments ensure that the hippos grow to be strong and healthy. Pygmy hippos are largely different from common hippos. Rather than being river dwellers, they spend most of their time in forests. They are also a solitary species rather than living in groups. In many ways, they are quite different from common hippos, which makes them a unique and interesting species. One clear difference is their appearance. While common hippos grow to several thousand pounds, pygmy hippos weigh roughly 350 to 600 pounds. They have longer legs and narrower heads. These distinctive features make pygmy hippo calves especially endearing.
