Ologies with Alie Ward: Hippopotomology (HIPPOS) with Dr. Rebecca Lewison

Release Date: February 5, 2025

In this captivating episode of Ologies with Alie Ward, host Alie Ward delves deep into the fascinating world of hippos with guest Dr. Rebecca Lewison, a renowned hippopotamologist and professor of biology at San Diego State University. Together, they explore the intricate biology, behavior, and conservation challenges facing these majestic yet misunderstood creatures.

Introduction to Hippopotomology

The episode kicks off with Alie Ward humorously recounting a kitchen mishap involving fish soup, setting a light-hearted tone for the deep dive into hippos. She introduces Dr. Rebecca Lewison, highlighting her extensive background in studying vulnerable wildlife populations and her specialization in hippos, making her part of an elite group of experts on these animals.

Notable Quote:

"If you want to submit a question ahead of time before we record, you can become a patron@patreon.com ologies it costs about 25 cents an episode to join." — Allie Ward [00:27]

Hippo Biology and Behavior

Dr. Lewison begins by breaking down the etymology of "hippopotamus," explaining that it translates to "river horse" from Latin, reflecting their semi-aquatic nature. She classifies hippos as artiodactyls, relating them to animals like deer and giraffes, and emphasizes that hippos are among the largest land mammals, surpassed only by elephants and rhinos.

Key Points:

• Anatomy: Hippos have a robust body with minimal neck structure, limiting their ability to lift their heads. This anatomical feature influences their grazing behavior, as they primarily consume short grass.
• Diet: As herbivores, hippos consume vast quantities of grass—estimated between 50 to 100 pounds daily—to sustain their massive size.
• Stomachs: Unlike ruminants, hippos possess a three-chambered stomach that allows them to extract maximum nutrients from their plant-based diet.

Notable Quote:

"Hippos are basically like lawnmowers. They eat a tremendous amount of grass, and it has to be pretty short grass." — Dr. Rebecca Lewison [05:28]

Studying Hippos: Challenges and Methods

Dr. Lewison shares her journey into hippo research, highlighting the difficulties in studying these elusive animals. Unlike more conspicuous species, hippos spend much of their time submerged in murky waters, making observation a formidable task. Traditional methods like night scopes and Land Rovers are employed, but there remain significant gaps in data.

Notable Quote:

"If you're doing a flyover, right, you take pictures. That's one of the ways that we. We count, you know, animals in remote areas." — Dr. Rebecca Lewison [50:11]

Innovative Techniques:

• Drone Technology: Revolutionizing hippo research by providing unobtrusive ways to monitor populations and behaviors without disturbing their natural habitat.

Conservation Status and Threats

The conversation shifts to the alarming decline in hippo populations, estimated at around 130,000 individuals across 38 African countries. Dr. Lewison highlights habitat loss as the primary threat, exacerbated by human encroachment and climate change. She also discusses the plight of pygmy hippos, a rarer species confined to West Africa, struggling with habitat fragmentation and low population densities.

Notable Quote:

"We think of hippos as like the size of a VW bus. And so they're using this three chambered stomach structure to extract all the nutrients and keep things in their stomach kind of a long time." — Dr. Rebecca Lewison [13:35]

Case Study: Cocaine Hippos in Colombia

• Originating from Pablo Escobar's private collection, the hippo population in the Magdalena River has burgeoned to around 200 individuals. This invasive population poses ecological challenges and conflicts with local communities, leading to controversial management strategies like contraception and culling.

Notable Quote:

"If they find that are hiding, they have to stick with the bachelor herd." — Dr. Rebecca Lewison [46:38]

Human-Hippo Interactions: Myths vs. Reality

A prevalent myth is that hippos are among the deadliest animals in Africa, surpassing even sharks. Dr. Lewison debunks this misconception, clarifying that while hippos can be aggressive, especially when their territory or young are threatened, they do not kill more humans than other animals like mosquitoes or snakes.

Notable Quote:

"I don't think hippos are naturally aggressive to people. The biggest threat that they face is habitat loss." — Dr. Rebecca Lewison [23:31]

Conflict Sources:

• Boat Accidents: Often involving fishermen or tourists inadvertently disturbing hippos.
• Crop Raiding: Hippos venturing onto agricultural lands in search of more nutritious food sources, leading to confrontations.

Social Structure and Reproduction

Dr. Lewison elaborates on the social dynamics within hippo populations, describing them as polygynous with dominant males leading groups of females and their offspring. Unlike monogamous species, hippos do not form life-long pair bonds. Bachelor herds consist of non-dominant males who may challenge for leadership, leading to competitive displays.

Notable Quote:

"Hippos are something called polygynous, which means there's a single male, a dominant male, and lots of females that he probably mates with." — Dr. Rebecca Lewison [35:18]

Communication:

• Limited understanding of hippo vocalizations and underwater communication, which remains a significant research gap.

Interesting Hippo Facts and Misconceptions

Several intriguing aspects of hippo biology are explored, challenging common misconceptions and highlighting unique adaptations:

• Blood-Sweating Myth: Hippos do not sweat blood; instead, they secrete a reddish-orange pigment that acts as sunscreen and has antibiotic properties.

  Notable Quote:

  "They don't sweat blood, but it is sort of a reddish orange pigment. And that is something that people have isolated because they were able to get it off a captive hippo." — Dr. Rebecca Lewison [56:46]

• Evolutionary Link to Whales: Contrary to popular belief, hippos are more closely related to whales than to other artiodactyls, a revelation confirmed through genetic studies.

  Notable Quote:

  "Common hippos, the big ones you're used to, they're most closely related to whales." — Allie Ward [17:20]

• Cultural Depictions: Misrepresentations in media, such as Disney's "Jungle Cruise," perpetuate inaccurate and sensationalized views of hippos as relentless predators.

Listener Questions and Answers

The episode features a series of listener-submitted questions, addressed by Dr. Lewison with insightful and often humorous responses:

1. Dangerous Behavior During Bubble-Blowing:

   • Question: "Is it true that hippos are really only dangerous when they're blowing bubbles and wiggling their ears?"
   • Answer: Dr. Lewison emphasizes that aggression stems from protective instincts and territoriality, not merely bubble-blowing or ear movements.

2. Monogamy in Hippos:

   • Question: "If hippos are monogamous, do they mate for life?"
   • Answer: No, hippos are polygynous and do not form lifelong pair bonds.

3. Cocaine Hippos in Colombia:

   • Question: "Is there a plan for the cocaine hippos in Colombia?"
   • Answer: Dr. Lewison discusses the complexities of managing the invasive hippo population, balancing ecological concerns with human safety.

4. Consumption of Hippo Meat:

   • Question: "Do people eat hippos?"
   • Answer: Yes, in some regions, hippo meat is consumed, contributing to population declines alongside habitat loss.

5. Predators of Hippos:

   • Question: "Are there any other animals besides humans that prey on hippos?"
   • Answer: Generally, humans are the primary threat. Crocodiles rarely prey on adult hippos, and while lions may take down juveniles, predation is not widespread.

6. Social Relationships:

   • Question: "Do hippos have best friends?"
   • Answer: Dr. Lewison highlights mutualistic relationships, such as with oxpeckers, which clean hippos of parasites.

7. Hippo Waste and Ecosystem Impact:

   • Question: "Is Mudang ortner for a young pygmy hippo?"
   • Answer: Discusses the role of hippo waste in nutrient cycling within aquatic ecosystems, supporting other life forms like tilapia.

8. Climate Change Impact:

   • Question: "What might happen to hippo populations given climate change and upstream development?"
   • Answer: Climate change poses a significant threat by reducing water availability, exacerbating habitat loss and increasing human-hippo conflicts.

Notable Quote:

"If I am, it's because elephants just get so much attention. And I know they have incredible behaviors... but I think hippos have all of these things too." — Dr. Rebecca Lewison [62:17]

Conservation Efforts and Future Directions

Dr. Lewison underscores the urgent need for conservation initiatives tailored to hippos, emphasizing habitat protection and coexistence strategies with local communities. She advocates for increased research facilitated by technological advancements like drones and calls for more scientists to enter the field of hippopotomology.

Notable Quote:

"I care about elephants too. But I think hippos have all of these things too. It's just that we can't see it and we don't know it." — Dr. Rebecca Lewison [62:17]

Conclusion

The episode concludes with heartfelt reflections from both Dr. Lewison and the hosts, reiterating the importance of understanding and protecting hippos. Alie Ward shares personal anecdotes about managing stress, drawing a parallel to hippo behaviors, and encourages listeners to support conservation efforts through donations and spreading awareness.

Final Thoughts:

• Dr. Lewison: Advocates for a balanced approach to hippo conservation, focusing resources on African populations while acknowledging the ecological complexities of non-native populations like those in Colombia.
• Alie Ward: Emphasizes the toxic relationship humans have with hippos, urging listeners to become more mindful of their interactions and impact on these vital ecosystem engineers.

Notable Quote:

"This whole episode has convinced me that we're in a toxic relationship with hippos. We're the toxic partner because we fawn over them, we love bomb them, and then we take what they need most." — Allie Ward [65:28]

Additional Resources

Listeners interested in further exploring hippo research and conservation can access links to Dr. Lewison’s work and supportive organizations like the Wei Chow Community Hippo Sanctuary through the show notes. The episode also promotes Smologies, a spin-off series offering kid-friendly, classroom-safe content inspired by Ologies classics.

Support the Show:

• Patreon: Become a patron at patreon.com/ologies to submit questions and support the podcast.
• Merchandise: Explore Ologies merchandise at ologiesmerch.com.

Ologies with Alie Ward continues to illuminate the quirky and profound aspects of various scientific disciplines, blending humor with in-depth analysis to educate and entertain listeners. This episode on hippopotamology not only sheds light on the hidden lives of hippos but also calls for a reevaluation of human impact on these incredible animals.