Baby Hippo Soaks Up Attention At Berlin (PICTURES)

(PICTURES) Baby Hippo Soaks Up Attention In Berlin
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Wobbling nervously around the enclosure and shadowing its gigantic mother, this week old hippopotamus is set to become a star.

The yet to be named hippo was presented to adoring visitors at a zoo in Berlin on Tuesday.

With its little shrek-shaped ears it showed its coy side to visitors, crouching next to its mother.

Hippopotamus literally means "river horse" but they are actually more closely related to pigs (as these photos show).

In order to protect them against the hot African sun, they secrete a sunscreen which is sometimes called "blood sweat" because its red.

The third largest land mammals by weight, their bulbous bodies allow them to jog on the bottom of the river beds with a pompous gambol. On land they can outrun humans for small distances, reaching up to 20 mph.

Considered ugly by some, hippos are an threatened species, poached for meat and ivory. Though they can be aggressive, bellowing loudly and getting into fights with their fellow hippopotami, there are times when a hippo has become man's best friend.

Take a look at the amazing baby hippo below.