Poppy was born to parents Iris and Corwan after a 7-month gestation. The baby girl is Iris and Corwin’s third calf in 4.5 years. This birth was also the first time that Iris gave birth underwater. Common hippos typically give birth underwater, but their smaller relatives the pygmy hippo are born on land or in water.

Poppy the pygmy hippo calf recently got her first taste of swimming. The baby was born at Virginia's Metro Richmond Zoo, in early December. Poppy is part of a very special club. Native to west Africa,