Another photo of the Franklin Park Zoo Hippo from the 1930's. I found the recently taken photos below along with another explanation of white feet in hippos.
The World We Share
Wildlife News
May 10,2011
HIPPO WITH PINK BOOTS
The two-year-old hippo has become a bit of a celebrity after she was spotted grazing on grass by a riverbank.
It is thought the hippo has leucism – a skin condition that means her body is brown but all four of her feet and lower legs are pink.
This usually results in blotching or complete discolouration but it is rare for it to affect just the feet and legs.
Photographer Peter Gordon snapped the unusual sight in the Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania, as he went for an afternoon drive along the Great Ruaha River.
The 55-year-old said:
“The hippo was grazing on the shore among about six other Hippos in the late afternoon.
“Hippos do not normally graze during the day. It is more usual for them to graze at night and to rush back into the water if disturbed in any way.
“We saw them in the distance and, when they did not react, moved forward slowly.
“We were fortunate to be able to spend some time with them before they went back into the river.”
Peter, who lives on the reserve, added:
“I have observed hippos having different levels of leucistic spots at different places in Africa.
“These spots can occur randomly on the hippo’s body but it is extremely unusual to have all four feet the same.
“This daytime sighting gave me a good opportunity to record this phenomenon, as hippos spend almost the whole day in the river.
“We were about 70 metres from the animals and not posing a threat to them.”
Vienna Zoo 2008
Whipsnade Zoo 2010
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4 comments:
The feet look pink to me.
Stefan,
Because hippos don't have hair. If you shave the hair off of a white legged horse, what color is the skin?
Wade
Pink of course, but thats only if I shave the hair of a white legged horse.
Stefan,
But it is still a white legged horse, or as it is often called, chrome.
Wade
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