Baby Hippo Learns to Swim (Video)

[joeybee12]

Born Tuesday at the San Diego Zoo, the new calf can be seen learning to swim with his mom in a new video posted to the zoo's YouTube channel.

"What you're seeing is mom teaching the baby how to surface for air," Rick Schwartz, ambassador for the zoo, told ABC News. "A baby can hold its breath roughly 40 seconds to a minute. Although this may look like they're playing, it's an important life lesson on how you surface and how you take a breath."

The baby, who's gender and name have yet to be determined, will be spending some quality time with mom Funani over the next few months as hippopotamus calves nurse for about eight months.

The calf already weighs about 50-55 pounds, but that could double in the next week. Mom and baby are both reportedly doing well.

[joeybee12]

1. Kick!