PHOTOS: Hippo Haven opens at Adventure Aquarium

Thursday, May 29, 2014
CAMDEN (WPVI) -- Adventure Aquarium guests can now meet hippos face-to-face!

Hippo Haven, which opened Thursday at the aquarium in Camden, is home to two hippopotamuses Button and Genny. The exhibit features more than 5,500 square feet of space that includes a 60,000-gallon pool, a waterfall and a dry riverbed.

The Adventure Aquarium is the only aquarium in the world with hippos on exhibit.

Before you go meet your new hippo friends, here are some facts you can impress your human friends with:

Adventure Aquarium's Hippo Haven is home to hippopotamuses Button and Genny.

WPVI Photo/ Adventure Aquarium



13-year-old Genny weighs in about 4,216 pound, while 16-year-old Button weighs approximately 3,096 pounds.

Adventure Aquarium's Hippo Haven is home to hippopotamuses Button and Genny.

WPVI Photo/ Adventure Aquarium



Between the two of them, aquarium officials say, they consume 70,000 calories per day, which is approximately 35-40 pounds of food per day.




Hippos are the third largest land mammal behind the White Rhino and Elephants.


Adventure Aquarium's Hippo Haven is home to hippopotamuses Button and Genny.

WPVI Photo/ Adventure Aquarium



They can run up to 19 mph on land.





Hippos live to be 40 to 50 years old.

The word "hippopotamus" is derived from the ancient Greek word for "river horse."

Adventure Aquarium's Hippo Haven is home to hippopotamuses Button and Genny.

WPVI Photo/ Adventure Aquarium



Their nostrils and ears are positioned on top of their head so they can stay submerged.



For more information on Hippo Haven, visit the Adventure Aquarium's website.
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