The Zoo is open!
All guests, including Zoo members, must now reserve free, timed tickets prior to visiting.
Review the Zoo’s reopening guidelines and make a reservation
When you are ready to visit, we're more than ready for you! Until then we are happy to continue to #BringTheStlZooToYou for you stay connected to your Zoo.
April 02, 2021
Species Spotlight
This week’s Species Spotlight: Nile hippopotamus
Animal Name: Mashavu
Scientific Name: Hippopotamus amphibius
Geographical Range: Sub-Saharan Africa
Habitat: Rivers and lakes with surrounding grasslands
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Home at the Zoo: River’s Edge
Fun Fact: Hippopotamus means "river horse" in Greek, but the animal is more closely related to the pig than the horse.
Photo: Robin Winkelman #StlZooSpeciesSpotlight
