Digestion in the hippopotamus

Summary The hippopotamus ( Hippopotamus amphibius Linn.) has an enlarged stomach, divided into: (a) two anterior diverticula; (b) a large median chamber, and (c) a posterior chamber, secreting gastric juice. Fermentative digestion occurs in (a) and (b). The anatomy and function of the stomach are discussed. Two experiments were performed to compare digestive efficiency with that of ruminants. Exp. 1. In a total collection experiment, chopped grass wasfedtoahippopotamusand five ruminants. Overall digestibility was lower in the hippopotamus, but this may have been due to keeping the animal out of water. Exp. 2. A hippopotamus and two sheep were fed chopped elephant grass ( Pennisetum purpureum ), digestibility being measured by total collection (in the sheep) and the chromogen ratio method. Dry matter digestibility was similar in all three animals, while digestibility of crude protein was higher in the hippopotamus.