Hippopotomology (HIPPOS) with Dr. Rebecca Lewison

Do they sweat blood? Will one kill you? What are cocaine hippos? Is Moo Deng… okay? Actual real life Hippopotomologist Dr. Rebecca Lewison explains how hippos have some of the best – and worst – PR.  We chat about pet hippos, subspecies, daily diets, the current state of hippo conservation, the absolute chaotic affection we have for pygmy hippos, their role as ecosystem engineers, what’s up with their nostrils, and how to keep a hippo in your pocket. Also: how to flatter your friends into planning a group vacation.

Listen via Apple, Spotify, iHeart, Podbay, Podcast Addict, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Visit the Lewison Lab at SDSU and follow Dr. Lewison on Google Scholar

A donation went to The Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary (WCHS)


Links to things we discussed:

Upcoming hippo movie

The care and breeding of the Pygmy hippopotamus (

The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau - Hippo

Guide Loves Hippos On Disney Jungle Cruise

Colombia to Sterilize Pablo Escobar’s ‘Cocaine Hippos’

Pablo Escobar's hippos keep multiplying and Colombia doesn't know how to stop it

Louisiana's bizarre hippo history to be recounted in movie 'American Hippopotamus'

American Hippopotamus: A bracing and eccentric epic of espionage and hippos

CBS news: Viral Pygmy hippo, Moo Deng, becomes global sensation

Video: AMAZING HIPPO POOPING SPINNING TAIL ! ONE OF A KIND FOUNTAIN BURST OF EPIC PROPORTIONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hippo splatters explosive diarrhea everywhere 2 | Extreme Hippo Poop

Assessing the Transition from Survival to Sustainability: Case of Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary in Upper West Region of Ghana, West Africa

Hippopotamus wallets? They exist. 

UnNews:"Hungry Hungry Hippos" celebrates anniversary

Hippo Anatomy Study: Demystifying Skeleton and Muscle Sculpting

The care and breeding of the Pygmy hippopotamus (

Top 10 most dangerous animals in the world

Bio-Inspired Synthetic Ivory as a Sustainable Material for Piano Keys

The Beach Master Hippo Battles His Hungry, Hungry Rival 🦛 Tales from Zambia | Smithsonian Channel



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Wildlife Ecology (FIELDWORK)

Cucurbitology (PUMPKINS)

Culicidology (MOSQUITOES)

Scatology (POOP)

Conservation Technology (EARTH SAVING)


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Editing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake Chaffee

Managing Director: Susan Hale

Scheduling Producer: Noel Dilworth 

Transcripts by Aveline Malek

Website by Kelly R. Dwyer

Theme song by Nick Thorburn

AnimalsAlie Ward