Holly

Hippo's new friend Holly sent holiday greetings from snowy Ann Arbor, Michigan.

She wanted to show Hippo what the University of Michigan campus looks like in cold weather. There's a definite lack of salsa dancing hippopotamuses on the plaza.

But Triton and the kids are still playing in the fountain.

Holly tried to catch snowflakes on her tongue.

Then she warmed up with a fresh Mexican lunch.

Holly nuzzled a puma on the way into the Exhibit Museum of Natural History.

There she learned how hippopotamuses are related to whales. An animal called Artiodactyl began adapting to an aquatic habitat 55 million years ago. Some of its descendants evolved into swimming hunters which later became whales and dolphins. Others evolved into wading grazers like the hippopotamus.

Holly is a beautiful example of Hippopotamus amphibius.

She left an impression on Ann Arbor by making hippo prints in the snow.

Ann Arbor

For Hippo's big summer vacation this year, he went on a road trip across Michigan. One important stop was a tour of Ann Arbor. We watched some weird cartoons at the old Michigan Theater.

And ate some authentic pastrami at Zingerman's Delicatessen. (Well, Hippo stuck to the carrot salad; the sandwiches were too big for his mouth!)

One of Hippo's favorite spots is this fountain sculpture of Father Triton and his sons playing called Sunday Morning in Deep Waters.

Ann Arbor is of course home to the University of Michigan whose school colors are maize and blue.

When the music starts playing, Hippo starts dancing. Thanks to some salsa lessons he now has yet another boogie move.